Portal hypertension history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Eiman Ghaffarpasand, M.D. [2]

The majority of patients with portal hypertension are asymptomatic. Patients with portal hypertension may have a positive history of intravenous drug use (IVDU), tattooing or piercing in unhygienic condition, needlestick injury, blood transfusion before 1992, viral hepatitis, and unprotected sexual intercourse. All of the clinical symptoms are associated with complications of the portal hypertension. Common symptoms of portal hypertension include hematemesis, melena, abdominal distention (ascites), fatigue, and loss of appetite.

• The majority of patients with portal hypertension are asymptomatic.
• All of the clinical symptoms are associated with complications of the portal hypertension.

Patients with portal hypertension may have a positive history of:^[1]

• Intravenous drug use (IVDU)
• Tattooing or piercing in unhygienic condition
• Needlestick injury
• Blood transfusion before 1992
• Viral hepatitis
• Unprotected sexual intercourse
• Schistosomiasis in childhood
• Family history of hereditary liver disease (e. g., hemochromatosis, Wilson disease)

Common symptoms of portal hypertension include:^[2]

• Hematemesis
• Melena
• Abdominal distention (ascites)
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite

Less common symptoms of portal hypertension include:^[2]

• Abdominal pain
• Confusion
• Forgetfulness
• Drowsiness
• Slurred speech
• Bleeding easily
• Easy bruising
• Itchy skin
• Jaundice
• Nausea
• Peripheral edema
• Weight loss
• Palms Redness
• Testicular atrophy in men
• Breast enlargement in men
• Hematochezia

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