Doctors call a reactive state a disorder that occurs as an organism's response to an adverse factor. This term is used both in somatic medicine and in psychiatry. Malicious conditions can cause both disruptions in the functioning of internal organs (liver, pancreas) and damage to mental health. In the first case, bodily ailments become the cause of deviations, and in the second, serious mental injuries. Such pathologies are usually temporary. Next, we will consider the main types of negative reactions from the organs and systems of the body (liver, pancreas and psyche), as well as the causes, symptoms and treatment of these disorders.
What is reactive hepatitis
The reactive state of the liver proceeds in the form of hepatitis. However, in this case, the pathology is not caused by a virus, but by diseases of other organs. This is the response from the liver to harmful effects. Reactive hepatitis is easier and has a more favorable prognosis than infectious lesions. The disease does not progress. Symptoms are mild, and sometimes the disorder proceeds without painful manifestations and is detected only during a medical examination. Deviations in liver enzyme activity and bilirubin levels are negligible. If the cause of the reactive state of the liver is cured, then all violations are completely stopped.
Causes of reactive hepatitis
This disease is always secondary. The following pathologies can provoke its development:
- gastrointestinal ailments: ulcerative processes, inflammation of the pancreas, nonspecific colitis;
- autoimmune rheumatic lesions: systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatomyositis, rheumatism, periarthritis nodosa;
- endocrine disruption: diabetes, hypo- and hyperthyroidism;
- burns of a large area of the body;
- infectious diseases;
- malignant tumors;
- surgical interventions;
- poisoning;
- prolonged use of drugs with hepatotoxic effects.
The pathological process most often affects only parenchymal tissue and is reversible.
Reactive hepatitis is more common in adulthood. This is due to the fact that children are less likely to suffer from chronic diseases. But if the child nevertheless has this pathology, then it proceeds with severe symptoms. In children, the cause of reactive changes in the liver is most often caused by diseases of the digestive tract, as well as helminthic invasion.
Symptoms and treatment of reactive hepatitis
In adulthood, the reactive state is often asymptomatic, which makes diagnosis difficult. The following uncomfortable manifestations are sometimes observed:
- general malaise;
- feeling of tiredness;
- low-grade fever;
- weakness;
- discomfort and pain under the ribs on the right side;
- slightly yellowish skin tone.
The patient does not always associate these signs with impaired liver function. It is very important to identify these deviations in time. During the medical examination, slight pain during palpation is possible. The liver is slightly enlarged. Assign a blood test for biochemistry. The results of the study determined a slight increase in bilirubin, liver enzymes and a decrease in protein. It is important to separate reactive inflammation from viral hepatitis. For this, blood tests are performed for the presence of infection.
With timely treatment, the reactive state has a favorable outcome. All violations are functional in nature. For successful therapy, it is necessary to find out the cause of the disorders and cure the underlying disease. In addition, hepatoprotectors are prescribed, the patient is recommended to follow a sparing diet. If the pathology is caused by poisoning or prolonged use of hepatotoxic drugs, it is necessary to take enterosorbents.
This condition is not dangerous, however, delaying the visit to a doctor and self-medication is unacceptable. Without therapy, disorders can become persistent and complicate the course of existing diseases.
What is reactive pancreatitis?
The pancreas is closely related to the digestive system. Therefore, many gastrointestinal pathologies negatively affect the work of this body. The gland produces pancreatic juice, which is then mixed with bile and into the intestines through the ducts. However, various diseases disrupt this process, and then a reactive state of the pancreas (reactive pancreatitis) occurs.
Pancreatic juice enzymes begin to work after entering the intestines. In the pancreas, they are inactive. Special intestinal fluids trigger these enzymes. This is how the digestive process of a healthy person functions. But with gastrointestinal diseases, intestinal fluid can be thrown into the bile ducts. In this case, pancreatic juice becomes active, being in the pancreas, and enzymes begin to negatively affect this endocrine organ. There is inflammation - reactive pancreatitis.
Causes of reactive pathology of the pancreas
The following diseases and disorders are provoking factors for the development of a pancreatic reactive state:
- pathologies of the stomach and intestines: gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastroduodenitis, infections and injuries of the digestive system;
- liver diseases: gallstones, cirrhosis, biliary dyskinesia;
- operations on the digestive tract and gall bladder;
- autoimmune pathological processes;
- poisoning;
- alcohol abuse
- malnutrition and malnutrition.
In children, this disease often develops as a complication of ascariasis. With severe invasion, helminths clog the bile ducts, which leads to congestion and inflammation of the pancreas.
Symptoms and treatment of reactive pancreatitis
Symptoms of reactive inflammation of the pancreas are usually pronounced. At the initial stage, the patient has the following symptoms:
- There is severe pain in the abdomen and under the ribs, discomfort intensifies after eating.
- Often there is vomiting, which does not bring relief.
- The patient is tormented by heartburn and belching.
- An increased amount of gas is formed in the intestine, bloating is determined.
- Diarrhea occurs up to several times a day.
Then comes a strong intoxication of the body. The patient's skin turns pale, limbs become cold, heart palpitations appear, blood pressure drops. The general condition is rapidly deteriorating. In severe forms of reactive pancreatitis, immediate hospitalization is required.
The clinical picture also depends on the cause of the pathology. If the reactive state arose due to diseases of the liver and gall bladder, then patients complain of pain in the solar plexus. If pancreatitis was provoked by gastrointestinal tract lesions, then unpleasant sensations are localized in the upper abdomen.
The symptomatology of the reactive state of the pancreas in a child has its own characteristics. In addition to the above manifestations, in children there is a high temperature, plaque on the tongue, dry mouth, diarrhea is replaced by constipation. In a blood test, sugar levels increase. In infancy, the disease often proceeds without pronounced symptoms, but lethargy and decreased appetite in infants can be noted.
Diagnosis of the disease is carried out using ultrasound. In this case, not only the pancreas is examined, but also all digestive organs. This is necessary to establish the cause of reactive inflammation. In addition, a urine test is prescribed for pancreatic enzymes, a blood test for white blood cells and ESR, as well as an endoscopy of the duodenum.
The treatment of the underlying disease that caused reactive pancreatitis is being carried out. And also prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics and antispasmodics. This helps relieve pain. A diet with restriction of spicy and fatty foods is needed.
Reactive pancreatitis has a favorable prognosis. Timely therapy leads to a complete recovery. If untreated, the inflammatory process can become chronic, in addition, patients often have high blood sugar.
Reactive Mental Disorders
In psychiatry, reactive conditions are called temporary mental disorders that develop after emotional upheaval. Violations are reversible and disappear after treatment. Such a pathology can occur in any person after severe experiences, for example, after the death or severe illness of a loved one, the breakdown of the family and other sad events. However, an unfavorable and prolonged course of these disorders is observed in people suffering from psychopathy or vascular diseases.
Reactive conditions are the body's response to mental trauma. Two main subspecies of such disorders can be distinguished:
- reactive neurosis;
- reactive psychoses.
Neuroses usually occur during prolonged traumatic situations. Psychoses appear as a reaction to acute emotional experiences and stresses.
The following forms of reactive states of a neurotic nature can be distinguished:
- neurasthenia;
- neurosis of obsessive states;
- hysteria.
There are also several types of reactive psychoses:
- depression of psychogenic etiology;
- paranoid disorders;
- psychogenic hallucinosis;
- puerilism;
- delusional fantasies;
- stupor;
- Feral Syndrome
- imaginary dementia.
Symptoms of such disorders are always pronounced. The duration of the course of reactive mental disorders depends on the presence of concomitant vascular pathologies and the type of patient personality. In vulnerable people with a fine mental organization, as well as in patients with atherosclerosis, such disorders can last a long time.
Symptoms of Reactive Mental Disorders
The clinical picture of reactive disorders is extremely diverse. Signs of the disease depend on the form of the disorder.
The main symptoms observed in various forms of psychogenic neurotic conditions should be considered:
- Neurasthenia. The patient has mental and physical exhaustion. The patient is easily tired, feels constant fatigue, headaches, sleep is sharply disturbed. Reduced performance. A person becomes excitable, irritable, anxious. At the same time, the mood is constantly lowered.
- Neurosis of obsessive states. Such a deviation after psychotrauma is observed infrequently. The patient constantly performs the same actions, for example, counts objects or touches them. Sometimes a person makes different movements. For the patient, this takes on the character of protective rituals. Obsessed with obsessive thoughts, memories, fears that arise against the will of the patient.
- Hysteria. There is a strong cry with screams and motor excitement. In some cases, a person cannot stand and walk with a completely healthy musculoskeletal system. These phenomena are accompanied by autonomic disorders: a sensation of a coma in the throat, suffocation, nausea.
With reactive psychoses, more severe disorders are noted:
- Psychogenic depression. Patients have a persistent decline in mood. The severity of this symptom can be different: from a slight depression to severe longing. Patients often blame themselves, for example, in the death and illness of a loved one. Movement and facial expressions are sharply inhibited.
- Paranoid disorders. Against the background of a dreary mood and heightened anxiety, delusions of persecution or external influence arise. Patients become fearful, restless, or aggressive. The content of delusions is usually associated with psychological trauma.
- Psychogenic hallucinosis. The patient develops auditory hallucinations. He hears voices that discuss him. In this case, the patient feels a strong fear. Optical illusions are possible when the patient takes the surrounding objects for people. The content of hallucinations is associated with experienced stress.
- Puerilism. The patient copies the behavior of a small child. Patients speak in a childish voice, act up, cry.
- Delusional fantasies. The patient periodically has ideas of greatness or imaginary wealth. Unlike paranoid delirium, these disorders are not persistent and permanent. One idea quickly succeeds another. With treatment, fantasies disappear.
- Stupor. The patient becomes extremely inhibited, stops moving, eating and talking.
- Syndrome of "wildness". This type of reactive state of the psyche is extremely rare. In the patient's behavior, traits characteristic of the habits of animals are noted. Patients moo, bark, crawl on four limbs, become aggressive.
- Imaginary dementia. There are signs of dementia. Patients have impaired memory; they cannot give the correct answer to simple questions or perform routine actions. However, unlike true dementia, this condition is easily cured and has a good prognosis.
Diagnosis of reactive psychoses is often difficult. It is necessary to distinguish these conditions from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. A psychiatrist should have a conversation with the patient and his relatives to identify the presence of a stressful situation. Chronic mental illnesses develop independently of psychological trauma, and reactive disorders are always the result of moral upheaval.
Reactive mental disorders in childhood
The reactive state in children occurs after suffering a fright and other traumatic factors. Most often it is observed in infancy and preschool age. There are two types of psyche reactions to trauma. The child either becomes restless (rushing, crying, screaming), or freezes in place and stops talking. This is accompanied by vegetative disorders: sweating, redness, tremors, involuntary urination and bowel movements.
Then the child becomes lethargic, tearful, fears worry him. Behaviors that may be characteristic of younger children may appear. For example, a child 5-6 years old begins to behave like a baby 1.5 years old. Reactive mental states in children require immediate treatment. All changes are reversible.
Therapy of reactive mental disorders
In the treatment of neurotic disorders, sedatives are used. If the symptoms are mild, then you can prescribe herbal remedies (valerian, motherwort) or the medicine "Afobazol". In more severe disorders, tranquilizers are indicated. Not only medicines are used, but also psychotherapeutic methods.
The treatment of reactive psychoses is more challenging. With a dreary mood with self-incriminating ideas, antidepressants are used. If the patient has delusions and hallucinations of a psychogenic origin, then antipsychotics and sedatives are used.
Forensic examination for reactive mental disorders
In forensic psychiatric assessment of reactive conditions, the form of the disorder should be considered. With neurosis, patients are usually recognized as sane. They may be held liable for offenses committed.
As for reactive psychoses, it is necessary to take into account the degree of their severity. In case of mild disorders, a person usually reports to his actions. In severe delusional disorders and hallucinations, the patient may be considered insane. It is also important to remember that depressed patients with self-incriminating ideas often incriminate themselves and sometimes admit to offenses that they did not commit.
Acute reactive states with delusions and hallucinations are considered as mental pathologies that are temporary in nature. During a period of painful manifestations, a person may be declared incompetent. In this case, all civil acts (transactions, wills, etc.) committed by him during a mental disorder are invalid.