Hyper Tension Revealed

Portal Hypertension – Description And Causes

What is portal hypertension, what are its causes and how do you get rid of it – are a few of the questions need to be answered. Usually, a clear understanding of the disease and the causing factors would actually improve the chances of combating it.

What Is Portal Hypertension?

Portal hypertension is that hypertension which develops in the portal venous system. The later consists of veins that feed the lower digestive tract, i.e. the stomach, intestine, pancreas, spleen, etc. which then merge to cross through the liver. The portal hypertension occurs when the blood vessels in this region are blocked causing an abrupt increase in the blood pressure.

Left uncontrolled these blood vessels constrict further, at last preventing the blood flowing through the liver. In this case, the blood seeks new ways to reach the heart. When it bifurcates, it might seek ways to go through the abdomen veins, through the esophagus veins or those in the rectum. In this way, the blood starts avoiding the blockage in the liver and forms varices.

What Are The Causes Portal Hypertension?

There are many causes to portal hypertension and the following few lines would throw a little light on each one of them. Prevention is often nothing but knowing the causes and removing them from your style of living:

1. Cirrhosis of the liver – this is usually the most common cause for portal hypertension. In this affliction the liver develops bad scar tissue which totally blocks the flow of blood through it. Cirrhosis is a liver decaying disease usually caused by alcohol abuse, hepatitis, etc. It is important here for people who think that their life style affects the liver, to periodically check for liver damage and/or portal hypertension.

2. Blood clots blocking the veins – often there are tiny blood clots found in the portal venous system which in time develop to form an impenetrable barrier for the blood flow through the area. Similar to cirrhosis, the blood clots too cannot be identified unless there is a periodical medical check up for portal hypertension. The blood clots usually form in advanced aged people as well as people who live a sedentary life style.

3. Schistosomiasis.- The portal hypertension can also be caused by a parasitic attack, which slowly infects all the lower portal system, blocking the flow of the blood. Unless this is treated effectively and in the early stages, it would slowly develop into health complications.

Since the portal hypertension directly affects the liver, it is very important that the portal hypertension is diagnosed and treated in time, before any complications sets in from the liver. An early diagnosis is possible only when there are regular check-ups.

The Treatment Of Portal Hypertension

The portal hypertension being a very stealthy and dangerous disease needs to be nipped in the bud lest it would develop into a life-threatening problem. Some of the most common treatment procedure is sclerotherapy. In this method, the varices (which resulted when the blood from the blocked liver sought alternative ways to reach the heart) are blocked with a rubber band. This is a surgical intervention.

If this is not possible the next best thing would be to bleed the varices to form scars which in turn would block the blood flow in that direction.