Portal hypertension is an increase in the pressure within the portal vein, which carries blood from the digestive organs (stomach, intestine, spleen, & pancreas) to the liver. The increase in pressure is caused by a blockage in the blood flow through the liver. Increased pressure in the portal vein causes large veins (varices) to develop across the esophagus and stomach to get around the block...
Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a symptom of a disorder in the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus. The blood often appears in stool or vomit but isn't always visible, though it may cause the stool to look black or tarry. The level of bleeding can range from mild to severe and can be life-threatening. GI bleeding is a symptom of a disease or condition, rather than a disease or condit...