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Veno Occlusive Disease

Veno-occlusive disease (VOD), also commonly known as hepatic veno-occlusive disease, is a medical condition that is characterized by the blockage of veins in the liver. Due to this blockage, the flow of blood through the liver decreases by several folds and thus can ultimately lead to liver cirrhosis in many cases. This disease occurs in all age groups; however, undernourished individuals are the most common people affected by this disease.

  1. Causes of Veno-Occlusive Disease

    • The most common cause that leads to the development of veno-occlusive disease is a high dose of chemotherapy that is administered during the bone marrow transplant process. However, the exact relation between chemotherapy and VOD is still not known clearly, despite attempts over the years by scientists worldwide.
      Other common causes leading to the development of VOD in individuals include exposure to certain toxic substances such as carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), which is a main component of industrial wastes. Rare metabolic diseases such as Wilson's disorder also sometimes lead to VOD in individuals.

    Most Common Symptom of VOD: Encephalopathy

    • One of the most common symptoms that is associated with veno-occlusive disease is encephalopathy. It is a medical condition that is characterized by damage to the nervous system as well as the brain due to damage caused to the liver. Common symptoms associated with encephalopathy include forgetfulness, sleepiness, frequent mood swings and difficulty in muscular movement due to stiffness of the muscles.

    Other Common Symptoms of VOD

    • Other symptoms that are commonly associated with veno-occlusive disease in individuals include excessive gain of weight; increased levels of bilirubin in the blood, which thus causes jaundice in most cases; uncontrolled vomiting, which most of the time includes blood; and blackish and foul-smelling stool.

    Treatment Techniques

    • Although there is no specific treatment form that is available to treat VOD, doctors try to eliminate the various causes that lead to the development of VOD. Generally, the use of ursodeoxycholic acid is preferred by doctors worldwide, as this acid helps in preventing the development of veno-occlusive disease caused due to high dose of chemotherapy after a stem cell transplant.
      Another common treatment includes liver bypass surgery, which is performed so as to provide an alternate pathway for the blood to flow due to the blockage of the veins in the liver.

    Prevention/Solution

    • There are certain preventive measures that an individual can take. Some of these preventive measures include following a diet that is low in salt, as this helps in preventing the accumulation of fluids in the abdomen. Another common preventive measure includes consumption of drugs such as acetaminophen very carefully as overdose of such drugs very often lead to various health hazards including veno-occlusive disease in many individuals.

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