The modern way of life affects human health is not always a favorable way. Improper nutrition, stress, ecology, lack of physical activity provoke the development of various diseases and pathologies. This is especially true of the digestive organs, deviations in the work of which negatively affect the functioning of the whole organism as a whole. In this article, we consider the structure of the digestive gland, the pathology of its head and treatment options.
Structure
The pancreas is one of the largest human organs. She is involved in many important processes in the body. The most important of these are the following:
- The production of pancreatic juice, which is involved in digestion.
- Neutralization of the acidic environment in the stomach.
- The production of hormones involved in metabolic, fat, protein and carbohydrate processes.
- But the main function of the pancreas is the production of insulin.
Violations in the work of this body lead to the development of dangerous conditions.
The pancreas has an oblong appearance and is located behind the stomach. Conventionally, a body is usually divided into three parts:
The pancreas normally has a size of 16 to 23 centimeters in length. Sizes are reduced from head to tail.
Head
The head of the pancreas is closely adjacent to the duodenum. On the right it borders on the liver, and on top of it lies the stomach. In adults, the head is located at the level of the first two vertebrae. In newborn children, it is located slightly higher and has small dimensions. This part of the organ is separated from its body by a thin neck.
Normal values
The size of the pancreatic head in adults is normally up to 30 mm. Values up to 35 mm are sometimes permissible. Deviation from this value may indicate the development of a pathological process.
The norm of the pancreatic head in newborns is about 10 mm, at a month of age, normal values reach 14 mm. Further, the head grows gradually, depending on the weight and age of the child. So, at the age of ten, a size of 16 mm is considered a variant of the norm.
Reasons for deviations from the norm
In a healthy person, the head of the pancreas, like the entire organ, is not palpable. But an experienced doctor will be able to diagnose a pathological increase already at the initial appointment. The reasons for the increase in the head of the pancreas in the vast majority of cases are various diseases that are extremely important to diagnose in the early stages. Consider the most common of them:
- Inflammation of an acute or chronic nature.
- A cyst, which can be either ordinary or false.
- A change in the head of the pancreas may be due to the presence of a benign tumor.
- Anomalies of development.
- Abscess.
- Blockage of the excretory ducts or spasm (for example, blockage with stone or parasites).
- Malignant formation.
- Abdominal Injury
- Autoimmune processes occurring in the body.
In addition to the above, the following factors can cause diseases of the pancreatic head:
- Complications of chronic diseases.
- Drinking alcohol.
- Improper nutrition.
- Nicotine addiction.
- People over 60 years old.
- Parasites.
- Obesity.
Symptomatology
Unfortunately, the pathological processes taking place in the pancreas are not always accompanied by pronounced manifestations in the early stages. In some cases, the following symptoms may occur:
- Pain of varying degrees of intensity, which can give to the lower back and left arm.
- An increase in body temperature, which is difficult to knock down.
- Violations of the stool. Constipation alternates with loose stools.
- Burning in the ribs.
- Frequent bouts of nausea and vomiting mixed with bile.
- Sometimes yellowing of the skin, darkening of the urine can be observed.
You should rather contact a medical institution if unpleasant pathological symptoms appear in the pancreas. How does a woman and a man hurt? Are there any differences? Many people ask this question at a doctor’s appointment. Differences in the manifestations of pathological conditions occurring in the head of the pancreas are not revealed by gender.
Diagnostic measures
If you suspect a change in the head of the pancreas, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. To determine the diagnosis, a number of diagnostic measures are used, which include laboratory and instrumental studies. Let's consider in more detail.
- First of all, when suspicious symptoms appear, the doctor examines the patient and collects an anamnesis, during which the presence of chronic diseases, the hereditary factor, the period of the onset of pain or other unpleasant symptoms and their intensity are ascertained.
- Examination of the pancreatic head is carried out by palpation. To do this, the patient lies on his back and relaxes. Then, when exhaling, the doctor immerses the fingers as far as possible to the back of the peritoneum in the area of divergence of the pectoral ribs. Using this method, it is possible to determine enlarged organs.
- General blood test, which may indicate the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.
- General urine analysis.
- Blood chemistry.
Instrumental methods for diagnosing pathologies of the pancreatic head are the most informative. These include:
- Ultrasonography. Using this method, it is possible to determine the size of the organ and its head, as well as to identify pathologies. With the help of ultrasound, you can detect cysts, tumors, as well as suppuration and hemorrhage in the abdominal cavity.
- MRI or computed tomography.
- Roentgenography.
- EFGDS. During the procedure, a special tube is inserted into the esophagus, with the help of which it is possible to examine the organ, up to the state of its mucosa.
- ERCP - retrograde cholangiopancreatography. This procedure is performed using an endoscope inserted into the duodenum. Using it, a contrast agent is introduced through a special probe, and then an X-ray examination is performed to identify the cause of the change in the head of the pancreas.
How to treat an ailment
Treatment of the head of the pancreas is prescribed by the doctor based on the results of the tests. Self-treatment is not allowed, since it is possible to aggravate the situation, provoking even more dangerous diseases. In most cases, therapy is carried out in a hospital setting. Consider the most common treatment options, depending on the identified pathology.
- Capitate pancreatitis (chronic and acute). This is a type of ordinary pancreatitis, in which there is an increase in the head of the organ due to the disease. With a decrease in the inflammatory process, the size of the organ is normal. In the chronic form of the disease, the size of the head decreases due to the replacement of normal tissues with fibrous areas. Treatment in this case will be aimed at stopping the inflammatory process. For this, anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs are prescribed that reduce the secretory function of the gland. Antibiotics may also be prescribed. Of great importance in the treatment of pancreatitis is the elimination of the provoking factor.
- Cysts of the head of the pancreas. There are true (congenital) and acquired, which arise due to trauma or the inflammatory process. Cysts on the head of the pancreas are dangerous because they can pinch the duodenum. The treatment tactics are selected by the attending physician, taking into account the size of the cyst and the likelihood of complications (for example, a gap). With a small amount of education, a special diet is prescribed, excluding fatty, flour, smoked. Bed rest is also recommended. To minimize the development of inflammation, antibiotics are recommended. And to facilitate the work of the gland, enzymes are prescribed (for example, "Creon"). If no improvement occurs within a month, the doctor may decide on a surgical method for removing or excising the cyst. As a rule, the laparoscopic method of surgery, which is the least traumatic, is currently used. With a small amount of education, drainage or sclerotherapy of the cyst can be used. In the most severe cases, abdominal surgery is performed.
- Tumors At present, the diagnosis of tumor processes on the head of the pancreas is very common. In the early stages, such a formation can only be detected with the help of ultrasound diagnostics, in the subsequent other symptoms that arise as a result of the tumor (for example, hepatic colic) are added. Benign formations grow slowly. The treatment in this case will be surgical. Depending on the size of the tumor and the development of complications, a tumor husking operation or embolization of the arteries is performed (the blood supply to the formation is blocked). In complicated cases, a resection of the pancreatic head may be indicated, sometimes together with part of the duodenum. With a malignant tumor, the head of the gland is removed along with the duodenum. In some cases, part of the stomach and regional lymph nodes are removed. After this, reconstruction of the bile ducts is carried out. After about 2 weeks, radiation therapy or chemotherapy is prescribed.
Diet
An important condition in the treatment of diseases of the pancreatic head is a diet. Recommended table number 5, excluding fried, salted, spicy, greasy. Food should be fractional and in small portions.
Preventative measures
Performing preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of developing diseases of the pancreatic head and the entire organ as a whole. To do this, you must follow a number of rules:
- Healthy lifestyle.
- Proper nutrition, excluding fried, fatty, smoked, fast food.
- Avoid overeating and eating before bedtime.
- Quitting smoking and alcohol.
- Moderate physical activity.
- Timely treatment of diseases.
- Do not abuse drugs or self-medicate.
- See a doctor as soon as possible.
Complications
Pathological conditions occurring in the head of the pancreas, without timely treatment or its complete absence, can lead to serious complications. The most common ones are:
- The occurrence of pathologies of the digestive system.
- Reactive hepatitis.
- Cholestasis.
- Cholecystitis.
- Pleurisy.
- Pneumonia.
- Pathology of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Diabetes.
- Malignant formations.
- Fatal outcome.
Conclusion
The head of the pancreas is a very important part of the organ. With its defeat, serious diseases can occur that, without proper treatment, can lead to irreparable consequences. Do not neglect scheduled examinations and self-medicate. You should listen to your body and consult a doctor at the first suspicious symptoms in the pancreas. How it hurts in women and men - there are no differences.