| Two factors can increase blood pressure in the | | | | modern medicine to correct severe liver |
| portal blood vessels: Increased volume of blood | | | | dysfunctions. To reduce the risk of bleeding from |
| flowing through the vessels, and the increased | | | | esophageal varices, a doctor may try to reduce |
| resistance to the blood flow through the liver. | | | | pressure in the portal vein. One way is to drugs |
| Portal hypertension leads to the development of | | | | such as propranolol or nadolol. Trans-jugular |
| new veins (called collateral vessels) that directly | | | | intrahepatic shunt (TIPS) may be considered as |
| connect the portal blood vessels to the general | | | | rescue management for refractory ascites |
| circulation, bypassing the liver. Because of this | | | | secondary to portal hypertension, but caution in |
| bypass, substances (such as auto-toxins) that are | | | | respect to the presence and/or development of |
| normally removed from the blood by the liver can | | | | peritoneal or other ectopic haematopoesis has to |
| pass into the general circulation. When substances | | | | be taken. |
| that are normally removed from the liver pass | | | | In Modern Science the condition is incurable while |
| into the general circulation and reach the brain, | | | | in ayurveda we have noticed success in many |
| they may cause confusion or drowsiness (hepatic | | | | cases. It takes a long time to make the liver |
| encephalopathy). | | | | normal but the recovery is seen within 6-8 |
| Portal hypertension often causes the spleen to | | | | weeks. Jalodar Rasayana is found effective in |
| enlarge because the pressure interferes with | | | | relieving retention, portal hypertension due to |
| blood flow from the spleen into the portal blood | | | | chronic liver and spleen disorders. The active |
| vessels. Pressure in the portal blood vessels may | | | | ingredients are Yakrit-pleehari Lauh 65 mg, |
| cause protein-containing (ascitic) fluid from the | | | | Ashwakanchuki 65 mg, Punarnava (B. diffusa) Ext |
| surface of the liver and intestine to leak into the | | | | 200 mg and Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa) Ext 100 mg |
| abdominal cavity. This condition is called ascites. | | | | processed in cow’s urine distillate. |
| Because most people with portal hypertension | | | | Caution: Ayurvedic medicines are known to |
| also have severe liver dysfunction, they may | | | | contain arsenic and concentrations up to toxic |
| have symptoms of liver failure, such as a | | | | levels have been reported in certain formulations. |
| tendency to bleed. | | | | Ayurvedic medications should be consumed under |
| Diagnosis: An ultrasound or computed tomography | | | | strict guidance and supervision of qualified |
| (CT) scan should be used. | | | | practitioners to prevent complications. |
| Treatment: There is no definite treatment in | | | | |