The diet of modern man consists mainly of harmful products. It is difficult to resist the temptation to eat a delicious hamburger at dinner and drink it with sweet sparkling water. For dinner, many prefer fried meat with a large portion of seasoned potatoes, and forget about breakfast altogether. Unhealthy food and an unbalanced diet often cause diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. One of the dangerous and common pathologies of this area is considered achilia of the stomach. How to timely recognize the disease and prevent its further development?
The mechanism of the development of the disease
The main function of the stomach is the digestion of food. Periodic contractions and relaxation of the walls of the organ contribute to grinding and further promotion of pieces of food into the intestines. The implementation of this process is impossible without the participation of hydrochloric acid and special enzymes. These are the main components of gastric juice. Active allocation of enzymes begins at the moment when a person only feels the aroma of food. Under the influence of gastric juice , denaturation and breakdown of proteins and fats, hydrolysis of carbohydrates occur. If for some reason hydrochloric acid and enzymes cease to be secreted, the digestion process is suspended. The breakdown of carbohydrates, which began in the oral cavity, continues. And proteins and fats remain unchanged, the body does not absorb them. As a result of the described process, food enters the intestine very quickly. Here she does not digest, but rots and "wanders." Hydrochloric acid also disinfects food. It enters the intestines without pathogenic microorganisms. If acid production is impaired, various bacteria that cause intestinal infections can enter the intestine along with food.
This clinical picture fully characterizes the development of a disease such as achilia. This is a serious pathological condition caused by a violation of the secretory activity of the stomach. The digestion process is one of the most important in the human body. Therefore, a violation of any of its stages is reflected in the work of other bodies. The insidiousness of this disease lies in the fact that it can be asymptomatic for a long time. However, doctors identify a number of signs by which it is possible to recognize an ailment at an early stage.
The first manifestations of the disease
Short-term disorders of gastric secretion are characterized by an asymptomatic course. In this case, the pancreas takes over the digestive function of the organ. The chronic course of the disease is accompanied by a malfunction of neighboring systems. The tissues of the organs begin to gradually undergo pathological changes, the corresponding signs appear.
What are the symptoms of stomach achilia? First of all, patients complain of poor appetite. Even small portions of food cause a feeling of fullness in the stomach. With the development of the pathological process, new symptoms appear. Increased gas formation accompanies the patient everywhere. Lack of gastric digestion leads to severe diarrhea, while undigested food only increases peristalsis. Feces with achilles are abundant. It contains a large number of fatty and protein fibers.
Achilia may have not quite familiar symptoms. For example, allergic reactions to everyday things. If the patient has never complained about food intolerance before, with the disease in question, it appears in 98% of cases. Regular digestive disorders gradually lead to the development of dysbiosis.
Types of disease
The cessation of secretory activity of the stomach can be due to two reasons. In the first case, we are talking about damage to the elements responsible for the synthesis of hydrochloric acid and a number of enzymes. On the other hand, a violation of the regulation of gastric digestion can also cause a disease. Depending on the mechanism of development of pathology, it is customary to distinguish three forms of achilia:
- functional;
- idiopathic;
- organic.
Each of these varieties of the disease has certain characteristics.
Functional achilia is the most common form of the disease. Its development is facilitated by a violation of the regulation of gastric secretion. Unchanged cells of the organ mucosa can fully function, but cease to work due to a violation of hormonal stimulation. The disease belongs to the category of transient disorders.
Idiopathic achilia has a different developmental mechanism. The disease is also accompanied by the absence of damage to the gastric mucosa, but it is not associated with hormonal disorders. The main reason for the onset of the pathological process is the congenital failure of the glands responsible for the synthesis of hydrochloric acid and certain enzymes.
Organic achilia is another type of disease, the development of which is facilitated by damage to the gastric mucosa under the influence of pathogenic factors. At the initial stage, the regeneration of cellular elements and the restoration of the acidity of the juice are possible. In severe cases and with extensive lesions, the pathological process is irreversible.
The main causes of impaired secretory function
As mentioned earlier, the development of the pathological process is possible for two reasons. It is they who determine the type of disease. For example, functional achilia is preceded by a change in hormonal regulation of gastric secretion. The following factors, in turn, can contribute to this violation:
- unbalanced nutrition;
- avitaminosis;
- diabetes;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- smoking;
- prolonged use of diuretics or antipsychotics.
Organic gastric achilia is associated with damage to the organ mucosa. Atrophy of the secretory glands may be due to:
- infectious diseases (e.g. syphilis);
- atrophic gastritis;
- oncology.
Achilia is most often found in young people. The detection of the disease in patients after the age of 50 gives reason to think about a precancerous condition.
Diagnostic Methods
The treatment of such an insidious disease as achilia should not be delayed. Symptoms of the onset of the pathological process should serve as a kind of alarm bell for the patient. When the first signs of an ailment appear, it is necessary to consult a gastroenterologist. After studying the patient's history, the specialist usually prescribes a diagnostic examination. It includes the following analyzes: functional tests with histamine, contrast radiography and fibrogastroscopy. The doctor assesses the feasibility of using one or another diagnostic method individually. The most informative are functional tests. Normally, histamine should promote the release of hydrochloric acid. If within 30 minutes the analysis shows a positive result, we are talking about functional achilia. With the organic form of the disease, there is no reaction to histamine. The results of a full examination of the patient determine the tactics of treatment of the patient.
Recommended Therapy
There are no specific tactics for managing patients with achilia, since treatment depends on the form of the pathological process. Consider each option in more detail.
With functional achilia, therapy should be aimed at stimulating the production of gastric juice. At the initial stage, coping with the disease is much easier than treating advanced conditions. In such cases, it is enough to adjust the lifestyle and nutrition. First of all, it is necessary to cope with the cause of the disease. In the presence of an infectious process, patients are prescribed antiviral agents and antibiotics. Emotional overstrain and prolonged depression require work with a psychotherapist. As for lifestyle, doctors recommend a review of work and rest. You should play sports, eliminate addictions, eat right. The diet for this disease is quite simple. It implies the exclusion of fatty and fried foods, sweets and pastries. The diet should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meat, porridge on the water. To increase the production of hydrochloric acid, you can resort to the help of folk remedies. Rosehip broth, tincture of St. John's wort or wormwood, freshly prepared vegetable juices - all these funds have a beneficial effect on the digestive system.
The treatment of the organic form of achilia is carried out according to the same principles as the functional one. However, it has some differences. For example, a diet for a disease involves eating only thermally processed foods. In case of violation of the functional activity of the intestine, it is recommended to take enzyme medications ("Creon", "Pancreatin"). Anabolic agents (Nerobol, Retabolil) are used to restore the gastric mucosa.
Possible complications
Achilia is a serious disease, the treatment of which doctors do not recommend neglecting. A long pathological process can lead to the development of complications. Among them, the following are considered the most dangerous:
- chronic gastritis;
- oncology of the stomach;
- cryptogenic pernicious anemia.
Some complications appear at an early stage of the disease, others develop only against the background of the cessation of secretory activity. In itself, the pathology rarely leads to death. However, the appearance of these complications increases the likelihood of adverse effects.
Prevention Methods
To prevent gastric achilia, it is enough to adhere to simple rules, which include:
- proper nutrition;
- refusal of addictions;
- normalization of work and rest;
- the elimination of emotional overstrain;
- timely detection of gastrointestinal diseases.
Gastric achilia, the types and characteristics of which are listed in this article, belongs to the category of diseases with a favorable prognosis. To avoid negative consequences, at the first alarming symptoms, you should consult a gastroenterologist. Confirming a diagnosis means following a diet and other recommendations of a treatment specialist. The sooner the patient starts treatment, the more effective it is.