Digestive system diseases can occur with very severe symptoms. Alcoholic pancreatitis is no exception. This is an inflammation of the pancreas that develops as a result of a disturbance in the production of enzymes necessary for the digestion of food. The acute form of such an ailment poses a threat to the patient’s life, therefore, patients with symptoms of alcoholic pancreatitis for treatment, as a rule, are hospitalized.
Disease Description
The main reason for the development of pancreatitis is intoxication of the body with various poisons. In accordance with the international classification of diseases of the tenth revision (ICD), alcoholic pancreatitis is an independent disease. In the ICD-10, he was provided with a separate code K86.0.
When exposed to toxins contained in ethyl alcohol, a severe lesion of the gland occurs, an inflammatory process develops. The disease itself affects both quality and life expectancy. Symptoms of alcoholic pancreatitis, the treatment of which should take place within the walls of a medical institution, depend on whether the form of the disease occurs - chronic or acute. Most often, such an affliction affects representatives of the male half of the population in adulthood, which is caused by the addiction to strong drinks of many of them. In women, the symptoms of alcoholic pancreatitis are very rarely diagnosed.
What causes the disease?
Judging by the name of the pathology, it is easy to guess what is the reason for its development. However, symptoms of the disease can occur not only after drinking alcohol. Against the background of pathologies of the liver and biliary tract, a person has a predisposition to the inflammatory process in the pancreas. Fatty, fried, smoked foods can provoke deterioration.
Characteristic signs of the disease
In acute alcoholic pancreatitis, intense organ tissue death occurs, so the course of the pathology is accompanied by intolerable pain. The main symptoms of this ailment include a strong pain syndrome, which is localized in the epigastric region. According to patients, the pain seems to encircle the upper abdomen, wading under the ribs, and radiating to the lower back. To these sensations with pancreatitis, a burning sensation is often added.
Severe nausea is another typical symptom of alcoholic pancreatitis. Treatment involves taking antiemetic drugs, but with a severe form of the disease, even a plentiful discharge of vomit does not lead to relief and improvement of well-being. Diarrhea joins the list of disorders. Against the background of pancreatitis, the patient's body weight decreases, pathological disturbances in the functionality of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, gall bladder can be observed, the level of absorption and assimilation of nutrients decreases.
What other symptoms may occur
Patients suffering from pancreatitis are in constant fear of every meal, because pain always appears after eating. All this leads to the fact that a person ceases to eat normally, loses weight.
Alcohol pancreatitis can be suspected for the symptoms indicated above, against the background of dependence on alcohol. Others notice changes in the patient’s behavior: he becomes irritable, looks dull, tired, lethargic, does not show interest in life, the events taking place. About pancreatitis may indicate:
- bloating;
- flatulence;
- painful palpation of the abdomen;
- fetid breath;
- fever.
What happens in the body
When drinking alcohol, a serious burden falls on the digestive system. Once in the body, ethanol is broken down into metabolites that poison the pancreatic tissue structures, which ultimately leads to more intensive production of proteins in the gland juice and an increase in the production of hydrochloric acids in the stomach. Changes are also observed from the side of the liver, which is caused by increased secretion of bile and, as a result, an increase in the level of cholecystokinin, a hormone that penetrates the duodenal cavity. Its second name is pancreosimine. With alcoholic pancreatitis, its content exceeds the norm several times.
The mechanism of the development of the disease
The increased concentration of protein micronutrients contained in the pancreatic juice, triggers the natural coagulation processes. The bottom line is this: the proteins precipitate and form plaques that do not dissolve and clog the ducts leading from the pancreas to the duodenum. Due to a pathological violation of the natural outflow of enzymes, the internal pressure in the ducts rises, pepsin, phospholipase, elastazin and lipase are activated. Enzymes saturate the tissue structures of the organ, resulting in self-digestion of the pancreas. Without these aggressive pancreatic enzymes, a complete digestive process is impossible.
Pancreatic necrosis
Self-digestion of an organ inevitably leads to the process of tissue death. Without proper treatment, the symptoms of alcoholic pancreatitis in adults increase, due to the proliferation of necrotic foci. In addition, the death of parenchyma tissue is accompanied by an active release of serotonin, which supports the inflammatory process. It is impossible to cope with the disease without potent drugs and the help of qualified specialists.
Chronic form: what is the difference from acute pancreatitis
In most cases, symptoms of acute alcoholic pancreatitis occur suddenly, after a festive feast. In addition to alcohol-containing drinks, fatty low-protein foods and smoking contribute to the development of pancreatitis. Acute inflammation of the pancreas poses a great threat to the patient's life.
Chronic alcoholic pancreatitis is most often found in older people, while the acute course is diagnosed in young patients. Moreover, the chronic form can go from acute in the absence of treatment or develop as an independent pathology.
It would be wrong to believe that alcoholic pancreatitis is the destiny of asocial people suffering from alcohol dependence. In fact, inflammation of the pancreas of this type can occur even in the case of regular use of alcohol in a small amount (20-30 g). And although these are not the most common cases, the likelihood of developing a disease cannot be ruled out.
Drug treatment
The treatment of a disease such as alcoholic pancreatitis is carried out conservatively or surgically. In acute form, patients are hospitalized. Regardless of the treatment method chosen, with alcoholic pancreatitis during the first few days, patients are forbidden any food and drink, then the products are introduced into the diet very carefully.
Drug therapy involves taking drugs of a substitution spectrum of action. In particular, microencapsulated pancreatic enzymes are the main drugs for the symptoms of alcoholic pancreatitis. This group includes drugs containing and not containing bile:
- "Creon."
- Mezim.
- Pancreatin.
- "Festal".
- "Enzyme Forte."
- "Forestal."
In uncomplicated cases, it takes 2-3 weeks to recover the affected tissue and relieve symptoms of alcoholic pancreatitis. The duration of treatment will depend on the severity of the disease and the dynamics of recovery.
In addition to enzymes, patients are prescribed antispasmodics and analgesics (“But Shpa”, “Analgin”, “Paracetamol”, “Baralgin”, “Drotaverin”, “Papaverine”). In the acute form of the disease and severe pain, they are used as injections. As soon as it becomes easier for the patient, he is transferred to the tablet intake.
In addition to these agents, patients are prescribed H2-blockers of histamine receptors and antacids. The first drugs can reduce the secretion of pancreatic enzymes ("Ranitidin", "Famotidine"), and the second neutralize the excess amount of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and eliminate exocrine insufficiency, which helps to prevent disturbances in the functioning of the duodenum. These include Phosphalugel, Almagel, and Maalox.
It is important to remember that it is advisable to consult a doctor as soon as possible and begin treatment at the first symptoms. Life expectancy for alcoholic pancreatitis depends on several factors, among which are not only drug therapy, but also the style of nutrition, the rejection of bad habits.
Surgical intervention
An indication for the surgical treatment of pancreatitis, including alcohol, is an obstructive form of the disease. The decision on the intervention is made by the doctor if taking medication over a long period does not allow a positive prognosis. The essence of the operation is to partially remove the organ. The affected part of the pancreas is removed surgically with the following indications:
- cystic lesion of the gland;
- the presence of an abscess, fistulas;
- obstruction of pancreatic ducts;
- confirmed malignant tumor.
Alternative treatment
In the chronic form of alcoholic pancreatitis, folk remedies can be used. Their use allows to achieve good results in treatment. Patients are advised to use infusions and decoctions prepared from medicinal plants. The most effective herbs in the treatment of pancreatitis are:
- calendula;
- dill;
- parsley;
- immortelle;
- wormwood;
- chamomile;
- milk thistle;
- peppermint.
In the period of relapse, folk remedies are not used. Traditional medicine is recommended for patients who have reached remission of the disease. In this case, it is fundamentally important to exclude even the minimum consumption of alcoholic beverages and monitor the diet.
How to eat with alcoholic pancreatitis
A strict diet is the most important condition for a successful recovery in the acute form of the disease or maximum relief in chronic pancreatitis. First of all, the following types of products should be discarded:
- fatty, smoked, fried, spicy dishes;
- fast food;
- confectionery;
- chocolate, ice cream and carbonated drinks;
- spices, seasonings;
- pickled and canned foods;
- coffee and alcohol.
During the first two days, the patient is not allowed to eat or drink. Then they gradually stabilize the drinking regime, give low-fat vegetable soups, cereals on the water. As health improves, the diet is expanded. With pancreatitis, it is recommended to use only boiled or steamed dishes.
Forecast and Prevention
If treatment is not started in time, the acute form of alcoholic pancreatitis can lead to pancreatic necrosis - the death of pancreatic tissue. This process is irreversible and inevitably leads to the death of the patient in the future. The prognosis is also unfavorable for the chronic form of the disease. Therapy supports the functionality of the organ, but it will not be possible to completely avoid complications and various disorders against the background of pancreatitis.
To improve the prognosis, you should first categorically abandon alcoholic beverages, follow a diet and take medications. This is the only way to increase life expectancy and improve its quality.
As you know, the best way to treat any disease is to prevent it. In order not to encounter such a serious pathology as alcoholic pancreatitis, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle and monitor your diet. In addition, for preventive purposes, it is necessary to undergo an annual examination of the digestive system, and if complaints arise, consult a doctor.