Cirrhosis is a chronic liver disease characterized by the replacement of normal liver cells with fibrous tissue, resulting in impaired liver structure and function. As the disease progresses, patients may experience various complications, one of which is edema of the lower extremities. So, why do patients with cirrhosis have edema of the lower limbs?This article will go into more detail about this**.
1.Relationship between cirrhosis and edema*
Patients with cirrhosis have impaired liver function, resulting in toxins in the blood that cannot be effectively removed, and these toxins stimulate sodium and water retention in the body, resulting in edema. In addition, liver disease can also affect the liver's ability to synthesize albumin, which is the main substance for maintaining plasma colloidal osmolality, and its reduction will lead to a decrease in plasma colloidal osmotic pressure, making it easier for fluid in the blood to leak into the interstitial space and form edema.
2.Portal hypertension due to cirrhosis*
In cirrhosis, blood flow to the liver is blocked, causing the portal vein pressure to rise. The portal vein is the main blood vessel donor to the liver, and when its pressure increases, it causes blood return to be blocked, causing increased venous pressure in the lower extremities. This increased pressure makes it easier for fluid in the blood to leak into the interstitial space, causing edema in the lower extremities.
3.Hypoproteinemia*
As mentioned earlier, the liver's impaired ability to synthesize albumin is an important cause of edema. Albumin is the main substance that maintains plasma colloidal osmolality, and its decrease leads to a decrease in plasma colloidal osmolality. When plasma colloidal osmotic pressure decreases, fluid in the blood is more likely to leak into the interstitial space, forming edema.
4.Impaired renal function*
People with cirrhosis may have impaired kidney function, which is called hepatorenal syndrome. In hepatorenal syndrome, sodium reabsorption by the kidneys increases, leading to sodium retention, which causes edema. In addition, impaired kidney function may lead to a decrease in urine output, which prevents fluid from the body from being drained efficiently, further worsening edema.
5.Other factors*
In addition to the above causes, patients with cirrhosis may also have other factors associated with edema. For example, cardiac insufficiency, lymphatic return disorders, etc., can cause edema of the lower extremities.
Conclusions*There are many reasons for lower limb edema in patients with liver cirrhosis, which are mainly related to impaired liver function, portal hypertension, hypoproteinemia, impaired renal function and other factors. For lower limb edema in patients with liver cirrhosis, medical attention should be sought in time to find out the specific cause and carry out targeted treatment** to reduce the patient's pain and improve the quality of life.