The first signs of pancreatic inflammation

Many people complain of intermittent abdominal discomfort. Sometimes this symptom is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Such violations occurred in almost everyone. However, in some cases, these symptoms often appear. Especially after a person has consumed fatty, difficult to digest foods. Unfortunately, not everyone goes to the doctor if such symptoms occur. Many believe that these violations indicate poisoning and will pass on their own. Such an opinion is erroneous, since the listed symptoms are often associated with a chronic inflammatory process in the pancreas (pancreatitis). This organ is necessary for the normal functioning of the digestive system. In healthy people, the pancreas produces a large number of enzymes that are involved in the digestion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. In addition, hormones are synthesized in it, including insulin, glucagon, somatostatin. Signs of pancreatic inflammation indicate that the organ is not working properly. To restore its functioning, treatment and diet are necessary. Otherwise, chronic inflammation develops. In this case, the symptoms will be repeated every time the patient eats something fatty or fried.

Pancreatic Inflammation: Causes

To suspect pancreatitis, you need to know what signs of pancreatic inflammation exist. First of all, it is abdominal pain and nausea. Such violations do not occur suddenly, they are always preceded by an error in nutrition. Based on this, we can distinguish the first signs of inflammation of the pancreas. These include:

1. Intolerance to alcohol. As you know, the frequent use of alcohol has a bad effect on health. To a greater extent, this affects the liver and pancreas. Therefore, the use of alcoholic beverages is one of the main reasons for the development of pancreatitis.
2. Nausea after eating heavy meals. Hard-to-digest foods include animal fats, fried, overly salty, and spicy foods. Also, discomfort can be noted with the abuse of flour products.

Improper diet and alcohol intake are the main causes of pancreatitis. Under the influence of these factors, the pancreas becomes inflamed. Signs of inflammation do not appear immediately. Often these causes lead to chronic pancreatitis. The first signs of acute inflammation are different. They resemble symptoms of foodborne toxicosis. The difference is pronounced pain, spreading not only along the surface of the abdomen, but also extending to the back.

The mechanism of development of signs of pancreatic inflammation

The causes and signs of inflammation of the pancreas are closely related. After all, symptoms appear only after exposure to a provoking factor (alcohol, fatty foods). It is worth knowing that acute and chronic pancreatitis are very different from each other. In the first case, the mechanism for the development of pathology is self-digestion of the pancreas. In healthy people, pancreatic enzymes are secreted in an inactive state. They begin to break down proteins, fats and carbohydrates only after reaching the stomach. There is an activation of pancreatic enzymes. In acute pancreatitis, this process starts earlier, that is, in the gland itself. Under the influence of enzymes, in particular lipase, organ tissue begins to break down. Toxic effects lead to inflammation and swelling of the pancreas. If help is not provided on time, pancreatic necrosis develops - complete destruction of the organ tissue. This condition is often fatal.

The mechanism of development of chronic pancreatitis is the gradual replacement of normal pancreatic cells with connective tissue. This process is called organ sclerosis. As a result, the main function of the pancreas is disrupted - the secretion of digestive enzymes. As a result, most of the products are not completely digested, which leads to upset stool and a deterioration in the general condition of the patient.

Pancreas: signs of organ inflammation

The first signs of pancreatic inflammation include, as already mentioned, abdominal pain and nausea, heaviness. Often, patients go to the doctor when the symptoms of pancreatitis recur over time. People usually notice that signs of pancreatic inflammation occur after eating certain foods or alcohol. It is with the clarification of all complaints and the medical history of the disease that the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis begins. Symptoms of inflammation include the following symptoms:

1. Pain in the upper abdomen. Given the fact that the pancreas is large, unpleasant sensations can occur both on the left and on the right. Also, the pain can be localized in the epigastric region, simulating gastritis. In some cases, the entire pancreas becomes inflamed. In this case, the pain is girdle.
2. Nausea. It can occur after an error in the diet or be present constantly.
3. Repeated vomiting. Unlike gastric ulcer, this symptom does not lead to a relief of the condition.
4. Changing the nature of the chair. Feces can be released in large quantities, have a foamy consistency and particles of undigested food. Severe diarrhea is sometimes noted, less commonly constipation.
5. Fever. This symptom is not always pronounced, therefore, against the background of dyspepsia, it is rarely paid attention to. Severe fever is characteristic of acute pancreatitis.
6. Strengthening of peristalsis, a feeling of "bursting" in the abdomen.

With a long ongoing inflammatory process, compression of the bile ducts can occur. However, the symptoms remain the same. In addition, itchy skin and icteric syndrome join.

Physical examination for signs of pancreatic inflammation

What are the signs of pancreatic inflammation on examination? First of all, the doctor draws attention to the deterioration of the general condition of the patient. The patient is most often agitated, sweaty, pale. In acute pancreatitis, a drop in blood pressure, severe tachycardia, rapid breathing can be observed. If you suspect inflammation of the pancreas, palpation of the abdomen is performed. To this end, the patient is laid on his back and asked to bend his knees. Even a superficial touch on the abdominal wall can cause discomfort. Palpatory signs of pancreatic inflammation in adults are easier to detect. After all, the patient can indicate a specific localization of pain. Unpleasant sensations are noted at the projection points of the pancreas. These include the zone of Shoffar and Gubergrits - Skulsky. The first is a triangle bounded by 3 lines. One of them is drawn from the navel to the right and up at an angle equal to 45 degrees. The second is the midline of the body. The third connects the 2 previous points, it is carried out 6 cm above the umbilical ring. The Hubergrits-Skulsky area corresponds to the Shoffar triangle, but is located on the left side of the abdomen.

To establish the affected area of ​​the pancreas, 3 points are distinguished. Due to this, it is determined in which part of the organ inflammation is localized. Among them:

1. Mayo-Robson Point. It can be determined by drawing a line from the navel to the left costal arch. If you divide this segment into 3 parts, then the Mayo-Robson point will be located on the border of the middle and upper third. This is the projection of the tail of the pancreas.
2. Desjardins point. It is determined by drawing a line connecting the navel and the right armpit. The point is located on a segment of 5-7 cm. Here is the head of the pancreas.
3. Point Kacha. It is located 4-7 cm above the navel along the outer edge of the left rectus abdominis muscle. Soreness at this point means that inflammation is located between the tail and the body of the pancreas.

In addition, signs of pancreatitis include a change in the surface of the tongue. It is covered with white or yellowish coating, may be slightly dry.

Laboratory signs of pancreatitis

Laboratory signs of pancreatic inflammation make it possible to diagnose pancreatitis. These include changes in the biochemical analysis of blood, coprogram, UAC. The presence of inflammation is indicated by an increase in the level of diastase, an enzyme that is determined in the urine. The normal level is 16-64 units. In the KLA, leukocytosis and an acceleration of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are noted. A biochemical blood test reveals an increased level of activity of pancreatic enzymes. These include amylase and lipase. Of great importance is the study of feces. Feces are excreted in large quantities (polyfecal), contain food debris, may have a greasy sheen. Fecal analysis is called coproscopy. This study allows you to identify laboratory signs such as:

1. Steatorrhea. This term means an increase in fatty acids in feces.
2. Creatorrhea - an admixture of muscle fibers in the feces.

These signs of inflammation of the pancreas indicate a violation of the digestion of food. Often they are observed in chronic pancreatitis.

We determine the signs of the inflammatory process in the pancreas by instrumental means

To identify the inflammatory process in the pancreas, a series of instrumental examinations are performed. The main diagnostic procedure is ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. In this study, an increase in the size of the pancreas and a change in its echo density are detected. The structure of the tissue may be heterogeneous. The walls of the organ are thickened due to edema - one of the symptoms of inflammation.

In addition to abdominal ultrasound, FGDS is performed. This study is necessary to exclude diseases of the stomach and duodenum. In some cases, computed tomography is performed. If acute pancreatitis is suspected, an ECG should be taken. After all, this disease is differentiated with myocardial infarction. Emergency diagnostic laparoscopy is sometimes indicated.

If signs of inflammation of the pancreas in a woman have developed, a number of studies need to be performed. In some cases, the clinical picture of acute pancreatitis may resemble symptoms of peritonitis. The causes of inflammation of the peritoneum in women are acute gynecological pathologies (ectopic pregnancy, rupture of the ovary, torsion of the legs of the tumor). Therefore, an ultrasound of the pelvic organs is required.

The combination of cholecystitis and pancreatitis: signs

Signs of inflammation of the gallbladder and pancreas are often combined. This is due to the fact that these bodies are in constant relationship. At the same time, a diagnosis of cholestopancreatitis is made. Signs of inflammation are no different from symptoms of a pancreatic lesion. But other clinical manifestations are added to them. Among them:

1. Pain in the right hypochondrium.
2. Bitterness in the mouth and belching.
3. Vomiting of bile.

On physical examination, pain is noted with pressure in the projection of the gallbladder (Kera symptom). Also unpleasant sensations are accompanied by striking along the costal arch on the right. In this way, the Ortner-Grekov symptom is checked. Another sign of gallbladder inflammation is soreness when pressed between the fibers of the sternum-mastoid muscle.

How to recognize pancreatitis in children?

Signs of pancreatic inflammation in children do not differ from those in adults. Nevertheless, diagnosing pancreatitis at an early age is more difficult. In addition to the presence of these symptoms, the child becomes moody, refuses to eat. In young children, sleep is disturbed, body temperature can be above 38 degrees, diarrhea is often noted. To diagnose inflammation, perform abdominal ultrasound, laboratory tests. Palpation of young children is not carried out.

Pancreatic inflammation: signs and treatment of pathology

Treatment of acute pancreatitis most often comes down to surgery. In chronic inflammation, drug therapy is indicated. It is prescribed according to the available signs of pancreatitis. Treatment includes:

1. Anesthesia. Apply the drug "Ketonal", "Analgin." With severe pain - medication "Promedol".
2. Substitution therapy with enzyme preparations. It is prescribed to ensure the normal digestion of food. Apply medicines "Pancreatin", "Creon", "Festal".

Diet for signs of pancreatic inflammation

To avoid repeated exacerbations, you must follow a diet. In the early days of acute pancreatitis, hunger is indicated. After 3-5 days, a special diet is prescribed - table No. 5. If the inflammation is chronic, it is necessary to exclude alcohol, fried and spicy foods, animal fats from the diet. Food should be steamed, in the oven or cooked. Dieting is an important part in the treatment of pancreatitis.