The term "enzymatic deficiency" refers to a pathological condition in which the amount of produced enzymes does not correspond to the real needs of the body. The lack of biologically active substances contributes to the occurrence of digestive disorders. Enzymatic failure is not an independent disease. This is an alarming sign, which indicates the development of a serious pathology in the body. Ignoring the disease leads to complications.
Development mechanism
Normally, in the gastrointestinal tract, the production of biologically active substances - enzymes that are directly involved in the digestion process. Under the influence of various adverse factors, a decrease in the production of enzymes occurs. As a result, the body does not receive the amount of enzyme that it needs.
Doctors distinguish 2 forms of the disease: gastrogenic and pancreatic. In the first case, enzymatic deficiency is due to a decrease in the production of gastric juice. The pancreatic form develops against the background of the course of pancreatic pathologies.
Causes
The disease can occur under the influence of many provoking factors. The main reasons for the development of enzymatic deficiency:
- Regular intake of large amounts of food. As a result, the gastrointestinal tract cannot cope and cannot produce enzymes in the right amount.
- Pancreatitis, both acute and chronic.
- Helminthic infestations.
- Neoplasms of both benign and malignant nature.
- The presence of calculi in the gallbladder, resulting in a violation of the outflow of pancreatic secretions.
- Hypoacid gastritis, against which the production of digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid decreases.
- The presence of inflammatory processes in the stomach and / or small intestine (gastritis, gastroenteritis, enteritis).
- Pathology of the liver and gall bladder.
- Crohn's disease.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Amyloidosis.
- Unbalanced diet.
- Frequent adherence to strict diets.
- Surgical interventions in the digestive system.
Often the cause of the development of enzymatic pancreatic insufficiency are congenital anomalies. In such cases, clinical manifestations occur soon after the birth of the child.
Types of ailment
The disease can have a different nature. The type of enzymatic deficiency in adults and children is established at the stage of diagnosis without fail. This need is due to the fact that each form of the disease requires a specific approach to treatment.
Types of insufficiency:
- Exocrine. It develops against the background of a violation of the outflow of secretion into the duodenum, as well as with a decrease in the mass of exocrine parenchyma. Failures in the gastrointestinal tract lead to severe intoxication of the body.
- Exocrine. This species develops in the presence of disorders in the pancreas, which are irreversible. Most often, enzyme deficiency occurs in people with untreated diseases of the digestive system, as well as in individuals whose diet is mainly presented in fatty foods and alcohol-containing drinks.
- Enzymatic The cause of the disease in this case is the uncontrolled and prolonged use of medications, the active components of which negatively affect the pancreatic tissue.
- Endocrine. It occurs when damaged areas of the gland responsible for the production of insulin, lipocaine and glucagon. In such cases, diabetes mellitus develops simultaneously with enzymatic deficiency.
Thus, the disease has several types. The main task of the doctor is to correctly determine it and draw up the most effective treatment regimen.
Symptoms
Enzymatic insufficiency is an ailment whose clinical manifestations directly depend on its type.
The exocrine form of the disease has the following symptoms:
- Digestive disorders. They arise after eating fatty foods, as well as foods rich in spices.
- Bloating.
- A feeling of heaviness in the stomach.
- Diarrhea. In this case, in the feces you can find particles of fat that is not absorbed by the body.
- Pain in the lower abdomen. As a rule, they radiate to the sides.
- Dry skin. They also take on a gray tint.
- Heart palpitations.
- Dyspnea.
Symptoms of enzymatic pancreatic insufficiency (exocrine form):
- Nausea turning into vomiting.
- Flatulence.
- The delay of the chair.
- Liquid feces.
- Lethargy.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Apathy.
The enzymatic type of insufficiency has the following clinical manifestations:
- Rumbling and bubbling in the stomach.
- Diarrhea.
- Weight loss.
- Impaired appetite.
- Drowsiness.
- The rapid onset of fatigue.
- Pain in the umbilical ring.
Symptoms of endocrine enzymatic failure:
- Frequent episodes of diarrhea.
- Regular onset of vomiting.
- A sharp decrease in body weight.
- Lack of appetite.
- Burping.
- Bloating.
- Drowsiness.
- Psycho-emotional instability.
Features of the disease in children
In babies, pathology develops under the influence of both external and internal provoking factors. The main causes of enzymatic deficiency in children:
- Gene defects.
- Diseases of the pancreas.
- Pathologies of an infectious nature.
- Violation of the intestinal microflora.
- Uncontrolled use of medicines.
- Unbalanced diet.
- Living in regions with adverse environmental conditions.
Symptoms of enzymatic deficiency in infants appear shortly after birth. The following symptoms are alarming:
- Loose stool.
- Lack of appetite.
- Nausea turning into vomiting.
- A sharp decrease in body weight.
- Bloating.
- Pain in the stomach.
In addition, with enzymatic deficiency in children, there is a strong delay in physical development. When the above alarming signs appear, it is necessary to immediately show the newborn to the pediatrician.
In children after a year, enzymatic deficiency is the result of an unbalanced diet or improper feeding. In this case, older children have the same symptoms as newborns. With the timely detection of an ailment, it is enough to take medicines and adjust the diet. The treatment should be carried out by a pediatrician or gastroenterologist.
Diagnostics
Enzymatic deficiency, which is hereditary, in most cases is detected already at the stage of neonatal screening. In adults, the pathology is detected during a medical examination or after a person consulted a doctor with a number of complaints.
To identify and confirm the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive examination, including:
- Ultrasound
- duodenal sounding;
- blood chemistry;
- stool and urine sampling.
In the presence of enzymatic deficiency, a specialist draws up a therapy regimen.
Treatment
An integrated approach is needed to eliminate the ailment. The treatment regimen for enzymatic deficiency directly depends on the causes of the development of the pathology and its severity. If the disease is a consequence of the growth of neoplasms, initially it is necessary to remove the tumor. During the surgical procedure, not only pathologically altered cells can be excised, but also part of the organ.
If the cause of the development of insufficiency is diabetes, pancreatitis, or another ailment that does not require surgical treatment, the patient is shown taking medications whose active components normalize the production of enzymes in the body. As a rule, doctors prescribe the following drugs: "Creon", "Mezim", "Pancreatin".
These medicines are of animal origin, since their active substance is processed pancreas taken from cattle. Often, against the background of taking such drugs, patients have an allergic reaction. In such cases, the doctor prescribes herbal preparations. It is worth noting that their effectiveness is much lower.
Power Features
Drug therapy will not lead to a positive result if the patient does not follow a diet. Dietary adjustment is necessary in order to reduce the degree of stress on the pancreas, so that it can recover.
It is necessary to exclude from the menu:
- fried, fatty and smoked dishes;
- butter baking;
- ice cream;
- canned food;
- mushrooms;
- marinades;
- meat and fish of fatty varieties;
- pickles;
- strong tea and coffee;
- alcohol-containing and carbonated drinks.
This list can be expanded by the attending physician. He also makes the final menu options, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient's health.
Effects
Ignoring enzymatic deficiency leads to the development of all kinds of complications. First of all, a person will constantly complain of poor health. An integral companion of the disease is nausea and frequent episodes of vomiting. Over time, the gastrointestinal tract will deteriorate. As a result: loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, constant pain, flatulence, bloating, belching.
Against the background of enzymatic deficiency, intoxication of the organism of a chronic form develops. As a result, the person’s cardiovascular system is disrupted, the skin condition worsens, the degree of motor activity decreases, and neurological and endocrine diseases appear.
It is important to remember that enzymatic deficiency is not independent in nature. She is always a symptom of a disease. Ignoring the ailment leads to the fact that the underlying pathology is progressing. As a result, a threat is created not only to health, but also to the life of the patient.
Prevention
To prevent the disease, it is enough to treat all identified pathologies in a timely manner and properly organize the diet. Overeating should be avoided. In addition, you need to make adjustments to the diet. It is advisable to follow the principles of proper nutrition.
People with enzymatic deficiency need to take medication for life. In order to avoid the occurrence of painful sensations and deterioration of well-being, it is necessary to abandon fatty, fried and smoked dishes, as well as carbonated and alcohol-containing drinks.
Finally
Enzymatic insufficiency is a pathological condition in which the amount of enzymes produced does not correspond to the actual needs of the body. If the first alarming signs occur, you need to contact a therapist or gastroenterologist. The doctor will conduct diagnostic measures and on their basis will draw up the most effective treatment regimen.