What problems can portal hypertension cause?
Portal hypertension may cause severe complications including excess in the abdomen (ascites), enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly), bleeding of the surrounding veins within the esophagus or stomach (variceal hemorrhage) and alterations in brain functioning (hepatic encephalopathy).
How is portal hypertension diagnosed?
Diagnosis may include blood tests that determine liver functioning, x-ray tests such as ultrasound or CT scan to define the flow of blood and the framework of the organ, and at times endoscopy to examine for swollen veins (varices) in the esophagus or stomach.
Can portal hypertension be reversed?
Progressive intrahepatic scarring in the liver might be non-reversible but portal pressure can be decreased by early identification of the causative agent-e.g. by taming hepatitis or stopping alcohol consumption and thereby ameliorating the symptoms.
How does portal hypertension cause ascites?
High pressure in portal areas pushes the fluid out of blood vessels and into the abdominal area. Loss of protein synthesis by a diseased liver also decreases oncotic pressure which is also a factor that causes fluid accumulation.
Is portal hypertension always caused by cirrhosis?
No. Though cirrhosis is predominant, portal pressure can increase without scarring of the liver due to other conditions - there are blood clots in the portal vein, infections, or tumors - probably alone which are termed non-cirrhotic portal hypertension.
What signs of portal hypertension should I watch for?
Watch out to abdominal enlargement or pains, leg swellings, dark coloured or bloody faeces, vomiting blood, excessive fatigue, or mental impairment-they may be the signs of complications, which require immediate consultation.
What does cirrhosis do to the portal vein?
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.
Where can I get treatment for portal hypertension in Katy?
GastroDoxs in Katy provides comprehensive care for portal hypertension, offering diagnosis, medical management, endoscopic treatment of varices, dietary counseling, and advanced procedures when needed.
Do you treat bleeding varices at GastroDoxs?
To make an appointment, you can simply call our Katy office and book in or you can use our online booking system, which is accessible in the GastroDoxs online. We have also same day booking on availability.
How do I book a visit at GastroDoxs?
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.
Medically Reviewed by
Dr. Bharat Pothuri, MD, FACG
| Updated 03-17-2026