Signs, symptoms and treatment of acute pancreatitis

The pancreas plays a major role in the digestion process. Often people do not even think about how complex the organ is and how important it is for health. By loading the stomach with dubious buns and hot dogs, hot spices, and refusing strong drinks, only a few understand how unsafe this is. This kind of nutrition is perceived by the pancreas as a natural poison. And as a result - the occurrence of acute pancreatitis. Some experts consider this disease a protective reaction of the body. After all, most often an attack provokes an abundant feast with an excessive amount of alcohol. The symptoms and treatment of acute pancreatitis will be discussed in more detail.

Causes of occurrence

The pancreas is one of the most complex organs of man. It is difficult enough to diagnose and almost impossible to recover. Not only excellent digestion, but also the normalization of metabolism depends on her work. Before considering the symptoms and treatment of acute pancreatitis, we determine the causes.

Numerous medical studies have been conducted to identify the main risk factors. To date, there are about 200 of them. However, the main causes of acute pancreatitis are still gallstone disease and alcohol.

Inflammation of the gland is practically never isolated. Often, the pancreas is involved in a wide variety of pathological processes in a variety of diseases. This is especially true for digestive disorders. In this case, the state of the gland is difficult to determine. A small organ is located very deep in the body, making any diagnosis difficult.

Acute pancreatitis can be triggered by the following factors:

• Gallbladder disease. This is the most common cause, excluding the alcoholic origin of pancreatitis. Hypertension leads to the casting of bile into the gland. And this is fraught with inadequate chemical processes. Substances that activate their own enzymes against pancreatic tissue accumulate. The disease is accompanied by damage to the blood vessels. Impressive edema is often created and hemorrhage occurs.
• Gastrointestinal diseases. Gastritis, ulcers or inflammation of the duodenum can provoke the same disorders. They provoke the release of intestinal contents into the ducts of the gland.
• Atherosclerosis of vessels, hypertension, diabetes mellitus. The circulatory disturbance characteristic of these diseases does not bypass the pancreas. The resulting restriction in nutrition can provoke acute pancreatitis.
• Poisoning by alcohol, food, chemistry . Activation of enzymes cause any intoxication. Sometimes even vegetables and fruits stuffed with pesticides provoke acute pancreatitis.
• Acceptance of pharmaceuticals . The attack can be caused by the medicines Furosemide, Azathioprine, Metronidazole, Tetracycline, glucocorticosteroids, estrogens, cholinesterase inhibitors, thiazide diuretics, sulfonamides and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Binge eating. With impaired fat metabolism, activation of enzymes occurs. The tendency to constant overeating several times increases the risk of disease. Especially if there is an abuse of fried and fatty foods.
• Injuries, injuries of the abdomen. Dull strokes or unsuccessful operations on the gallbladder can cause acute inflammation of the gland.
• Infectious diseases. Chronic hepatitis, liver failure, chickenpox, tonsillitis, mumps, inflammatory-purulent processes, sepsis, dysentery - all this increases the risk of pancreatitis.
• Genetic predisposition . Such violations are known that the child receives as an “inheritance”. In this case, pancreatitis can develop from birth.

Symptoms of the disease

The small organ - the pancreas - is responsible for a number of critical functions. The main ones are the secretion of enzymes to normalize digestion and the production of insulin. It is known that a deficiency of the latter leads to a rather serious disease - diabetes.

What accompanies an attack of acute pancreatitis? Symptoms are very reminiscent of severe poisoning. No wonder. After all, the enzymes created by the gland are retained in the ducts or in it itself. This causes a tissue destruction process. Their entry into the blood provokes intoxication of the body.

If we talk about symptoms, then the main signs of acute pancreatitis are distinguished:

• Pain The most pronounced symptom. Usually the feeling is very intense and constant. The pain is dull, cutting. Untimely provision of medical care can cause a person a pain shock. An unpleasant sensation is localized under the spoon. Sometimes pain can occur in the hypochondrium on one or the other side. It depends on the area of ​​damage to the gland. If the entire organ is completely inflamed, the pain becomes girdle-like.
• Temperature and pressure. Both the symptoms and treatment of acute pancreatitis are accompanied by a sharp deterioration in well-being. There is an increase in temperature. Sometimes up to very high numbers. Blood pressure can either decrease significantly or rise quite high.
• Complexion. During the attack, the patient can observe a sharp blanching of the skin. Gradually, the color changes, acquiring an earthy-gray hue. As a rule, the patient's facial features are sharpened.
• Nausea, hiccups . These are also signs of acute pancreatitis. Dryness appears in the oral cavity, hiccups, belching occur. Quite often, nausea occurs. Sometimes even vomiting, which does not bring a person any relief.
• Constipation or diarrhea. The stool with a disease is foamy with a very offensive smell. Undigested food particles exit the body. In case of constipation, the abdomen swells and muscle hardening occurs. This is the first signal of an impending acute attack of pancreatitis.
• Dyspnea. Jumps in blood pressure disrupt the cardiovascular system. The patient has constant shortness of breath, sticky sweat occurs, the tongue is covered with a yellow coating.
• Cyanosis of the skin. Such spots may appear on the lower back or around the navel. The groin area sometimes acquires a blue-green hue. Such manifestations indicate that blood from the inflamed gland enters under the skin.

It is very important to understand that in the presence of such symptoms the patient's condition worsens very quickly. Do not waste a minute and urgently call an ambulance. Any delay can cost a person life.

Classification of acute pancreatitis

There are several forms of the disease:

• Interstitial pancreatitis . This is an acute stage characterized by swelling of the pancreas.
• Pancreatic necrosis . There is a compaction of the gland with the inclusion of foci of decay.
• Pancreatitis This form of the disease is accompanied by hemorrhages in the tissue.
• Acute cholecystopancreatitis . The name speaks for itself. This is a combination of pancreatitis with acute cholecystitis.
• Purulent pancreatitis . The complex form of the disease. With it, purulent foci are detected in the gland.

Diagnosis of the disease

Arising symptoms very clearly indicate an ailment. However, most of them can characterize other diseases. Therefore, in order to correctly diagnose the symptoms and treatment of acute pancreatitis, the correct one is prescribed, the doctor will recommend taking tests. Initially, a study of blood and urine. In the best way, the activity of pancreatic enzymes is detected by biochemistry.

Diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is based on laboratory and clinical studies. In the course of the disease, ultrasound, endoscopy of the duodenum and stomach are prescribed.

With peritonitis, a peritoneum is punctured to examine the fluid. Diagnosis of acute pancreatitis includes an X-ray examination (pleura, lungs, bile ducts, stomach), CT or MRI if it is necessary to detect abscesses.

First aid

Initially, it is worth noting that to relieve an attack of acute pancreatitis on your own is completely not recommended. This can end very deplorably. Indeed, in a hospital, the doctor is monitored around the clock over the patient's condition. And in some cases, the patient may need urgent surgery.

But if a person’s location does not immediately call for medical help, you should know how to relieve an attack of acute pancreatitis. But remember: after stabilizing the condition, the patient should be immediately sent to the nearest hospital.

So, first aid includes:

• Providing complete rest. Any sudden movements should be avoided.
• Strict starvation is necessary.
• Fluid intake. A single dose of drinking - no more than ¼ glass. You can drink water every half hour.
• Completely exclude any drugs that contain pancreatic enzymes, such as Creon, Panzinorm. This can lead to aggravation of the disease.
• It is recommended that the patient give the drug "No-spa" in a dosage of 0.8 mg. You can give the tool "Drotaverine hydrochloride."
• If possible, it is good to do an intramuscular injection of the Papaverine preparation (2 ml).
• On the back, in the area of ​​the gland, you should put a bubble filled with ice.
• A person needs to be seated by tilting the body forward.

In case of urge to vomit, the stomach should be cleaned by pressing fingers on the root of the tongue. This will somewhat alleviate the condition. But, unfortunately, not for long. If the patient knows for sure that he does not have stones in the gall bladder, you can take the drug "Alohol." It is recommended to take 2 tablets at once three times a day. This will help to significantly improve the condition.

Disease treatment

It is very important not to forget that patients need immediate hospitalization. It is in the hospital that a full treatment of acute pancreatitis will be provided. The doctor will select the drugs based on the diagnosis. In this case, painkillers and intravenous solutions are immediately administered to the patient in order to restore the water-salt balance. Unfortunately, most patients have a rather severe form. Therefore, often treatment occurs in the intensive care unit or intensive care unit. After all, a severe form can give a complication to the heart, and to the lungs, and to the kidneys.

Sometimes pancreatitis leads to necrosis of the gland tissue. In this case, surgical intervention is required.

Intoxication is removed by intravenous infusions of glucose, saline solutions, protein preparations. Be sure to prescribe injections of antispasmodics. This helps relieve pain. Based on the diagnostic results, the doctor selects the appropriate treatment for acute pancreatitis. Preparations containing enzymes should be taken only on the recommendation of a doctor. It can be medicines Mezim, Creon, Festal, Pancreatin. Properly selected medications allow you to unload the gland, give it peace.

As a rule, diuretics are also prescribed to avoid pancreatic edema, remove toxins from the body. The course of therapy necessarily includes vitamins. This allows you to maintain a fairly weakened body. Vitamins B and C are especially useful.

For 4-5 days, the patient is strongly recommended a starvation diet. It is allowed to take only mineral water, always without gas. After the specified period, eating is resumed. However, a strict diet is mandatory.

If this conservative treatment is ineffective, doctors consider the need for surgical intervention.

Traditional treatment

There are quite a few ways to support the pancreas. But do not forget that any chosen methods must be agreed with the doctor. Treatment of acute pancreatitis with folk remedies includes following a diet and decoctions of medicinal plants. Some of them.

Recipe 1 . Take in equal proportions the bitter wormwood and the stem of iris. Grind the ingredients thoroughly and mix. Brew a tablespoon of the finished composition with boiling water (1 glass). It is recommended to insist for an hour. Be sure to strain. Such an infusion is used three times a day before taking a meal for about 20 minutes. One serving of drink is 1/3 cup.

Recipe 2 . Such a drink will require immortelle flowers. They help to remove the inflammatory process of the pancreas, gall bladder and liver. Immortelle even allows you to activate the secretory ability of these organs. For cooking, take a tablespoon of ground flowers. You can take unmilled. But in this case, 2 tablespoons will be required. Any of the selected formulations should be poured with hot water (1 cup). The mixture is brought to a boil. Cook the broth for half an hour, stirring constantly. It should be consumed 30 minutes before a meal. A single dose is 1 / 3-1 / 2 cup. Be sure to warm the broth and drink it only in a warm form.

Recipe 3. Potato has amazing properties. Tuber juice is used to treat pancreatitis. It is necessary to drink 0.5 cups daily in the morning and evening. This procedure should be done two hours before eating. Next, increase the dose. Switch to drinking fresh potato juice in a glass. Five minutes later, drinking a glass of yogurt is necessary. Best if it is a product made from natural milk. It is recommended to carry out such a course of treatment for 15 days. Then take a break. It lasts 12 days. If there is a desire to completely recover from an ailment, a similar course should be repeated up to four times. Young potatoes are considered the most effective and best. And somewhere in February, tubers become already old, and it is better not to use them. After all, such potatoes already contain a poisonous substance called solanine. Its presence stains the tubers in a greenish color.

Recommended diet

When the acute inflammatory stage is left behind, the doctor allows the patient to start eating. Of course, we are talking about diet food. A specific diet is specially designed for this disease. It is called diet No. 5. It should immediately be noted that such nutrition is recommended exclusively for the period of exacerbation and is not life-long. So, let's consider what the diet includes after acute pancreatitis.

Allowed Products:

• lean meat;
• boiled fish (pollock, cod, pike perch, pike, flounder);
• cereals (oat, buckwheat, semolina, rice);
• pasta (not fried and always without adding sauce);
• dairy products (yogurt, kefir, fermented baked milk);
• cottage cheese (low-fat);
• hard cheese (Adyghe, Brynza, Dutch, Russian, mozzarella, edam, Kostroma, gouda);
• boiled or baked vegetables (carrots, potatoes, pumpkin, beets, cauliflower, zucchini, green peas);
• baked fruits or in the form of compotes and mashed potatoes;
• soft-boiled eggs or omelettes (infrequently);
• bread (dried white);
• cookies (not suitable, like “Maria”);
• sweets (self-made jelly, marshmallows and mousse in small quantities);
• drinks (non-carbonated mineral water, for example “Elbrus”, light tea, compote, kissel, rosehip broth).

Accordingly, any fatty foods should be completely abandoned for the recovery period.

Consequences of the disease

Unfortunately, even an experienced doctor cannot clearly determine the prognosis of the course, and especially the outcome of acute pancreatitis. In most cases, the main factor is how timely a person will seek help. Indeed, with this disease every hour is important, and lost time can sometimes be fatal.

The most adverse effects of acute pancreatitis are the occurrence of necrotic conditions and the death of pancreatic tissue. Another serious complication may be the development of diabetes. The inflammatory process in the pancreas disrupts the normal production of insulin. And this can sometimes cause diabetes.

In most cases, chronic pancreatitis becomes an unpleasant outcome of the acute stage. Of course, it is not so painful. He does not have sharp cutting pains. But the consequences of this form are rather unpleasant. There is a constant steady death of gland cells.

Severe forms of pancreatitis are often fatal. Statistics are disappointing in almost 50%. This means that every second with a severe form of pancreatitis ends up on his deathbed. Therefore, if the first symptoms occur, call a doctor immediately. Do not experiment with home treatment.

Preventative measures

People who have experienced acute pancreatitis begin to love their pancreas. One wonders what suits her and what can cause “discontent” of this priceless organ.

To improve the work and prevent the development of the disease, it should be understood that the prevention of acute pancreatitis is simply mandatory. It includes:

• special charging;
• light massage involving the diaphragm and abdominal muscles;
• , ;
• .

Conclusion

Do not forget what constitutes the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. Most often, the victims of the disease are people who abuse fatty and fried foods in unlimited quantities, alcohol lovers. The work and health of this small, but such an invaluable organ is completely in your hands.