Digestive System

Chylous ascites is a less common form of ascites resulting from a collection of lymph in the abdominal cavity due to an interruption in the lymphatic system. It is also called milky ascites because of the milky appearance of the fluid. By definition, the presence of more than 200 mg per dl triglycerides in ascitic […]

MELD is the short form for the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease, a scoring system that is used for gauging prognosis and determining priority for receipt of a liver transplant. The score was developed at Mayo’s clinic to predict mortality within three months of surgery in patients who had undergone a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt […]

Liver fibrosis or hepatic fibrosis is an aggressive wound healing, often triggered by chronic injury and resulting in excessive connective tissue in the liver. In simple terms, it means scarring in response to liver injury. Liver fibrosis itself does not cause any symptoms but can lead to portal hypertension or cirrhosis. Various types of chronic […]

Heartburn is a symptom of Gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is the painful burning sensation described by person having gastroesophageal reflux disease caused by stomach acid refluxes up into esophagus. This pain is felt behind the sternum or breastbone, either as a spasm or a sharp pain. The pain often rises in the chest and may […]

Scurvy is a state of dietary deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). It is called Barlow’s disease in infants. Scurvy is uncommon now but can affect adults and children with poor nutrition. Although scurvy can occur at any age, the incidence of scurvy peaks in children aged 6-12 months and elderly populations. Scurvy is uncommon […]

Alcoholic liver disease is a spectrum of liver of injury caused by heavy and prolonged alcohol use, ranging from simple fatty liver to frank cirrhosis. The burden of alcohol-related disease is highest in the developed world. Alcoholic liver disease may be classified as: Alcoholic fatty liver Alcoholic hepatitis Alcoholic cirrhosis of liver Multiple stages that […]

Portal hypertension is an increase in the blood pressure within a system of veins called the portal venous system. Normal portal pressure is generally considered to be between 5 and 10 mm Hg. Once the portal pressure rises to 12 mm, complications arise. Relevant Anatomy and Physiology The portal venous system refers to the vessels […]

Ascites refers to the collection within the abdominal cavity. In Greek, the word askos means bag or sac. The collected fluid is called the ascitic fluid. It can be caused by many disorders but the most common cause is portal hypertension due to cirrhosis which results in increased pressure in the veins that bring blood […]