unfortunately most causes of portal hypertension cannot be treated. instead treatment focuses on preventing or managing the complications especially the bleeding from the varices. diet medications endoscopic therapy surgery and radiology procedures all have a role in treating or preventing the complications. other treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms and on how well your liver is functioning. endoscopic therapy. this is usually the first line of treatment for variceal bleeding and consists of either banding or sclerotherapy. banding is a procedure in which a gastroenterologist uses rubber bands to block off the blood vessel. sclerotherapy is occasionally used when banding cannot be used and is a procedure in which a solution is injected into the bleeding varices to cause them to scar. medications. nonselective beta blockers (nadolol or propranolol) may be prescribed alone or in combination with endoscopic therapy to reduce the pressure in varices and further reduce the risk of re-bleeding. nonselective beta blockers are also prescribed to prevent a first variceal hemmorrhage in a patient with varices that are felt to be at risk for bleeding. esophageal variceal banding has also been used for that purpose especially in those patients who are intolerant to beta blockers. the drug lactulose can help treat confusion and other mental changes associated with encephalopathy.
how is portal hypertension treated?