This is an automatically translated article.
Gastrointestinal bleeding is one of the dangerous complications of cirrhosis. Let's learn about cirrhosis causing gastrointestinal bleeding in the article below.
1. What is gastrointestinal bleeding due to cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis is a chronic disease caused by long-term damage to liver cells and the formation of fibrous and scar tissue, affecting blood circulation in the liver, and impairing liver function.
Causes of cirrhosis: hepatitis B, hepatitis C, fatty liver, heavy use of alcohol, tobacco, hepatitis caused by drugs...
Gastrointestinal bleeding often appears in the early stages. the end of the disease, is a very dangerous complication of cirrhosis. The more severe the cirrhosis, the more severe and obvious the bleeding will be.
2. Causes of cirrhosis of the liver causing gastrointestinal bleeding
Gastrointestinal bleeding in people with cirrhosis is caused by a sudden increase in pressure in the portal vein, causing the veins in the esophagus and stomach to expand to the fullest extent, the blood circulation process takes place faster and stronger. normal.
On the other hand, the vein wall is thin, subjected to a great deal of pressure leading to rupture causing hemorrhage.
3. Manifestations of cirrhosis with gastrointestinal bleeding
Cirrhosis causes gastrointestinal bleeding with the following symptoms:
Nausea, vomiting blood: Depending on the location of the bleeding, the patient will vomit different amounts of blood, blood color, and blood properties. Abdominal pain in the epigastrium. Bloody stools or black stools: When bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, blood follows it out through the bowels, bloody stools or black stools mixed with blood, stools have a very bad smell.
4. Cirrhosis with gastrointestinal bleeding
To write a medical record to accurately diagnose a patient with cirrhosis causing gastrointestinal bleeding complications, doctors will follow these steps:
Clinical diagnosis is based on:
Patient's history: yes Have you ever had liver disease? Have you ever had gastrointestinal bleeding? Clinical symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding: vomiting blood, passing blood or black stools. Symptoms of cirrhosis. Laboratory diagnosis is based on:
Blood tests: basic coagulation, blood count, blood biochemistry. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy: esophageal veins dilated and ruptured. Definitive and differential diagnosis: Based on clinical and laboratory findings, distinguish gastrointestinal bleeding due to cirrhosis from other gastrointestinal bleeding diseases.
5. How to treat cirrhosis causing gastrointestinal bleeding
The patient needs to be stopped immediately, otherwise the blood loss will be too much leading to death. Some measures such as:
Hemostasis, blood coagulation control: placement of a hemostatic catheter, endoscopic hemostasis, ligation of esophageal varices with rubber rings or sclerotherapy. Treatment of resuscitation, anti-shock: stabilize hemodynamics. Extra fluid and blood transfusion: ensure hemoglobin > 80 g/l. Use drugs to reduce pressure in the portal vein such as: Octreotide, Terlipressin, Somatostatin, use drugs before endoscopy. Surgery in severe cases.
6. Prevention of cirrhosis causing gastrointestinal bleeding complications
Treatment of cirrhosis of the liver according to the doctor's prescription. Periodic health examination: endoscopic examination every 2 years for compensated cirrhosis, once a year for decompensated cirrhosis, once a year for cirrhosis with grade I esophageal varices. For patients Cirrhosis with varicose veins grade II, III is easy to bleed, needs regular examination. Doctors can perform endoscopic ligation of varicose veins to prevent gastrointestinal bleeding. After that, the patient can use the drug and check the endoscopy every 6 months to avoid recurrence. In addition, patients need to combine a reasonable diet, rest, and exercise to increase the effectiveness of treatment and prevent complications of cirrhosis. Gastrointestinal bleeding is a dangerous complication of cirrhosis. You should have regular health check-ups to detect and treat liver disease early, to avoid potentially dangerous complications.
Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.
