Portal hypertension occurs when the blood pressure in the portal vein-the vessel that carries blood from your intestines to your liver-becomes abnormally high. This elevated pressure is most often due to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), which blocks normal blood flow. When blood can't pass through the liver easily, pressure builds up and can lead to serious complications.
Early on, portal hypertension may not cause noticeable symptoms. As pressure increases, you may experience:
Several factors can raise pressure in the portal vein:
At GastroDoxs in Katy, we specialize in comprehensive care for portal hypertension and other liver disorders. Our experienced team offers advanced diagnostics, personalized treatment plans, and compassionate support every step of the way. Ready to take control of your health? Call us today or book online to schedule your appointment and start on the path to better liver health.
We've successfully treated more than 1.5K patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Portal hypertension can lead to serious complications such as fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites), enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly), bleeding from enlarged veins in the esophagus or stomach (variceal hemorrhage), and changes in brain function due to toxin buildup (hepatic encephalopathy).
Diagnosis typically involves blood tests to assess liver function, imaging studies like ultrasound or CT scan to visualize blood flow and anatomy, and sometimes endoscopy to check for swollen veins (varices) in the esophagus or stomach.
While advanced scarring in the liver may not be fully reversible, early detection and treatment of the underlying cause-such as controlling hepatitis or stopping alcohol use-can reduce portal pressure and improve symptoms.
Elevated pressure in the portal vein forces fluid out of blood vessels and into the abdominal cavity. Reduced protein production by a diseased liver also lowers oncotic pressure, contributing to fluid accumulation.
No. Although cirrhosis is the most common cause, other conditions-such as blood clots in the portal vein, certain infections, or tumors-can raise portal pressure without liver scarring (non-cirrhotic portal hypertension).
Be alert for increasing abdominal girth or discomfort, swelling in the legs, dark or bloody stools, vomiting blood, excessive tiredness, or mental confusion-these could signal complications that need prompt evaluation.
Cirrhosis replaces healthy liver tissue with scar tissue, which obstructs blood flow through the liver. This resistance raises pressure in the portal vein, leading to portal hypertension.
GastroDoxs in Katy provides comprehensive care for portal hypertension, offering diagnosis, medical management, endoscopic treatment of varices, dietary counseling, and advanced procedures when needed.
Yes. We perform endoscopic therapies-such as band ligation or sclerotherapy-to stop active bleeding and prevent future hemorrhages from esophageal or gastric varices.
You can schedule an appointment by calling our Katy office directly or by using our online booking system on the GastroDoxs website. We also offer same-day appointments based on availability.
