Poor liver function, especially cirrhosis will cause edema, which is clinically called hepatogenic edema. Cirrhosis is the main cause of edema, which can be divided into portal hypertension and hypoproteinemia.
1. Portal hypertension: Cirrhosis will cause extensive connective tissue proliferation in the liver, which will obstruct the return of portal vein and increase the pressure, and the portal vein is mainly used to collect blood flow from the stomach, spleen, intestines and other organs as well as the lower limbs, and its high pressure will lead to the increase of the pressure of the venous return in the lower limbs, which will be mainly manifested in the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, and the gradual spreading of oedema upward from the ankle.
2. Hypoproteinemia: liver is the main protein producing organ in human body, cirrhosis will make the liver’s function of synthesizing proteins decrease, protein is the main substance to maintain the plasma colloid osmotic pressure to ensure the water balance inside and outside the blood vessels, when protein decreases, plasma osmotic pressure will decrease, water will leak out from the blood vessels, thus causing edema.
Edema may also be caused by other reasons, it is recommended to go to the hospital in a timely manner, improve the relevant examination to clarify the cause of the disease, under the guidance of the doctor to give targeted treatment or therapy.