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What does gastrointestinal bleeding caused by cirrhosis mean?

Nov 10, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Gao Jun
Introduction
In general, gastrointestinal bleeding caused by cirrhosis indicates that the patient has entered the decompensated stage of cirrhosis, which is a relatively serious clinical condition. The causes of gastrointestinal bleeding due to cirrhosis may include drug effects, portal hypertension, fragile blood vessel walls, gastric mucosal lesions, and coagulation disorders. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation and examination. A detailed analysis is as follows:

Generally, gastrointestinal bleeding caused by cirrhosis indicates that the patient has entered the decompensated stage of cirrhosis, which is a relatively severe clinical condition. The causes of gastrointestinal bleeding due to cirrhosis may include drug effects, portal hypertension, fragile blood vessels, gastric mucosal lesions, and coagulation dysfunction. If discomfort occurs, timely medical consultation and examination are recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Medication factors: Patients with cirrhosis may need to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, and other medications long-term. These medications may irritate the gastric mucosa and increase the risk of gastric mucosal damage and bleeding.

2. Portal hypertension: Cirrhosis leads to structural and functional changes in the liver, compressing and distorting intrahepatic blood vessels and impeding portal venous return, thereby causing portal hypertension. Under portal hypertension, the veins in the esophagus and gastric fundus may dilate and twist, forming esophageal and gastric varices, which are prone to injury and rupture bleeding.

3. Fragile blood vessels: Liver lesions and portal hypertension caused by cirrhosis may alter the structure and function of blood vessel walls, making them fragile and increasing the risk of vessel rupture.

4. Gastric mucosal lesions: Patients with cirrhosis often have inflammation, erosion, or ulcers in the gastric mucosa. These lesions weaken the protective capacity of the gastric mucosa, making it more susceptible to erosion by gastric acid, pepsin, and other digestive fluids, thereby triggering gastrointestinal bleeding.

5. Coagulation dysfunction: Liver dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis leads to reduced synthesis or decreased activity of coagulation factors, resulting in coagulopathy. This condition makes the hemostatic process after vascular rupture difficult and increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

In daily life, patients should pay attention to dietary management and liver protection to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

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