Clinical Nutrition

Lesson 18: Cirrhosis and Portal hypertension

Complications of cirrhosis include

1. Build up of pressure in the veins that go to the liver (portal hypertension)
2. Collection of fluid in the abdominal cavity (ascites)
3. Alteration of brain function caused by toxins which are not removed by the liver (hepatic encephalopathy)
4. Bleeding from dilated veins in the oesophagus (oesophageal varices)
5. Infection in the ascitic fluid (spontaneous bacterial peritonitis)
6. Malnutrition and liver cancer.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made by microscopic examination of the liver (liver biopsy).