Pancreatic inflammatory diseases are a common problem. Often, a similar disease is encountered by children and adolescents, although more mature patients are not protected from it. Therefore, many are interested in questions about what the symptoms of pancreatitis in adults look like.
It's no secret that the pancreas is an organ of mixed secretion. It is here that enzymes are formed involved in the process of digesting food. In addition, specific areas of the body are responsible for the production of insulin and glucagon - hormones responsible for the normal metabolism of carbohydrates.
Symptoms of pancreatitis in adults directly depend on the form and severity of the disease. Most often, inflammation is associated with a violation of the digestive system. But in the most severe cases, the inflammatory process also covers those parts of the gland that synthesize hormones, which affects the metabolism and sometimes leads to the development of a specific form of diabetes.
Symptoms of acute pancreatitis in adults
The acute form of the disease is accompanied by severe symptoms and a sharp deterioration in the patient’s well-being. As a rule, for a start, a dull pain appears in the hypochondrium - this is the so-called pancreatic colic.
An attack of colic can last several hours or several days. The pain is girdle-like, often gives to the lower chest, and sometimes to the back. This symptom is usually associated with pancreatic edema, as a result of which it greatly stretches the capsule and puts pressure on the solar plexus, where many nerve endings are concentrated.
In some cases, the pain is the result of a blockage of the pancreatic ducts, as a result of which its secret cannot circulate normally.
Persistent nausea and the urge to vomit are also symptoms of adult pancreatitis. Repeated vomiting, alas, does not bring a person any relief. Quite often, the inflammatory process is accompanied by an increase in temperature.
In the most severe cases, the patient's skin becomes pale. In cases where the inflammatory process extends to the gallbladder, yellowness of the skin can be observed.
Pain shock and loss of consciousness are signs of an extremely dangerous condition in which the patient needs emergency medical care.
Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis in adults
Like any other chronic disease, pancreatitis occurs with alternating periods of relative calm and exacerbations of the inflammatory process. Most often, symptoms of pancreatitis in adults are expressed even during remission. In particular, certain digestive disorders are observed.
Patients with a similar diagnosis complain of problems with stools - protracted constipation gives way to severe diarrhea (and vice versa). The exacerbation period is accompanied by the same bouts of pain. As a rule, pain in the hypochondrium increases immediately after eating, especially when consuming spicy, fatty, fried and spicy foods.
In some cases, the so-called Tuzhilin symptom is present. During an exacerbation, the skin of the back, abdomen and chest is covered with a very characteristic rash in the form of small, round red spots. As the inflammatory process attenuates, the rashes fade or disappear altogether.
In any case, if you have such problems, you should immediately consult a doctor. Properly selected treatment methods will help to quickly relieve pain and eliminate the main symptoms, stop the progression of the inflammatory process and gradually normalize the pancreas.