1. if doctor said "you are sitting on a time bomb", this probably means that at any time the portal pressure can elevate resulting in rupturing:
. lower end of esophagus: leading to
hematemesis and malena.
. around th umblicus: caput medusae
.
rectum and anal canal: hemmorhoids.
2. since hepato cellular function is the best predictor of bleeding from
varices, thus check with
Liver function tests [LFT] to rule out
hepatic failure.
3. treatment will depend whether the cause is pre-sinusoidal or post sinusoidal, [
portal hypertension is associated with
splenomegaly which favors extra hepatic obstruction] and hopefully your Doctor has find the aetiology of the same.
4. Rest: [reduction of physical activity reduces metabolic demands of the liver and increases renal perfusion].
. because your history suggests recurrent bleeding [for which bandaging was done], thus prevention is done by
sclerotherapy, banding, TIS [Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting], surgical shunt.
PS
. prior to surgery prescription drugs like :
vasopressin, glypressin, somatostatin and
octreotide, propanol, nitrates,
nitroglycerin,
verapamil are used for prevention of recurrent bleeding, but your Doctor will be better to judge your Condition.
. In good-risk patients with variceal bleeding undergoing portal decompression, surgical shunt is more effective, more durable, and less costly than angiographic shunt (transjugular intrahepatic portasystemic shunt [TIPS]).