Many are interested in what it is - pancreatic fibrosis - and how the disease proceeds. Changes in this organ are considered a very complex process of degeneration of healthy tissues.
The result of the course of the disease is the gradual replacement of normal cells with connective tissue. It is important to timely determine the course of the problem and conduct treatment to prevent the development of dangerous complications.
Features of the disease
Those diagnosed with this need to know what it is - pancreatic fibrosis - and how it manifests itself. This organ consists of tissues of different structure, such as stroma and parenchyma. The stroma is a kind of frame that performs a supporting function. Parenchyma is a collection of cells that produce hormones and pancreatic juice. Exposure to adverse factors leads to inflammation and cell death.
Dead areas are replaced by connective tissue. If scar tissue forms in place of glandular tissue, then this indicates the occurrence of fibrosis. The problem is that the body can no longer normally produce enzymes and hormones, which significantly reduces its functionality. This is an irreversible process, since it is simply impossible to restore dead glandular tissue. In some cases, it is very difficult to control, which leads to the development of a tumor.
Main classification
It is important not only to know what it is - pancreatic fibrosis, but also what forms this disease has. It can be:
- diffuse;
- cystic;
- focal;
- moderate.
Classification largely depends on the particular course of the disease, the nature of the changes, the volume of affected tissues. Cystic fibrosis of the pancreas is characterized in that a cyst forms in the ducts of the organ. At the initial stage, the disease is completely asymptomatic. The first signs appear only as the pathological process develops.
The affected organ begins to produce a thick pancreatic secret containing many enzymes. Due to the presence of a cyst, it does not enter the duodenum, which interferes with normal digestion.
Diffuse pancreatic fibrosis is characterized by a gradual and uniform replacement of a healthy part of an organ with connective tissue. If the pathological process is not stopped in a timely manner, then it is completely subjected to changes. There is a decrease in the production of enzymes. This type of disease has pronounced symptoms and is quite difficult.
At the initial stage of its development, fibrosis is characterized as moderate, since it does not have severe symptoms. There is only a slight change in the tissues of the organ, which allows you to live normally and almost does not cause any inconvenience.
Focal fibrotic lesion appears only on a limited area of the pancreas. Moreover, the pathological process does not completely cover all tissues. Symptoms largely depend on the size of the foci.
Causes of occurrence
The causes of pancreatic fibrosis can be very different. Basically, pathology occurs due to inflammation of the mucous membrane of this organ. It also develops in acute or chronic course of a violation of pancreatic function. In addition, provocative factors include:
- alcohol abuse;
- obesity;
- smoking;
- dysfunction of the biliary tract;
- malnutrition;
- intoxication of the body;
- severe stress;
- infectious processes;
- prolonged use of strong medications;
- hereditary factor.
It is very important to know what it is - pancreatic fibrosis, for what reasons it occurs, and also what signs it has. Symptoms of pathology at the initial stage are very difficult to detect, since they are weakly expressed.
Main symptoms
Changes in the pancreas by type of fibrosis are not immediately noticeable. The first complaints appear only in case of serious violations of the structure of this body. Much depends on the severity of the pathological process. Among the main symptoms you need to highlight such as:
- pain in the left hypochondrium or in the upper abdomen;
- belching;
- feeling of heaviness after eating;
- diarrhea;
- bloating;
- loss of appetite;
- nausea;
- weight loss;
- the presence of undigested food residues in the feces.
If the proliferation of connective tissue is focal in nature, then after a while it can develop into fibroma. The presence of complaints in this case will depend on the size of the tumor. A large tumor presses adjacent organs and, in addition to pain, can cause nausea or even jaundice.
Diagnostics
Before you begin to treat pancreatic fibrosis, you need to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis. Pathological changes can be detected using various research methods. To make a diagnosis, the doctor uses:
- clinical data;
- laboratory research;
- functional tests;
- ultrasound diagnostics;
- instrumental techniques.
It is quite difficult to detect diffuse changes in the pancreas and fibrosis in the initial stages, often the disease is detected completely by accident. In this case, tests are prescribed to help detect a decrease in enzyme production.
The most informative diagnostic method is ultrasound. In this case, diffuse changes in the gland are considered one of the important diagnostic signs.
Treatment features
There are no specific methods for treating pancreatic fibrosis, since it is impossible to completely cure the disease. The main goal of therapy is to eliminate symptoms with a temporary improvement in well-being. For treatment apply:
- drug therapy;
- dieting;
- conducting an operation.
With fibrosis, you must definitely go on a strict diet and change your diet. This will make it possible to rest the affected organ, thereby reducing unpleasant symptoms. Salt, fried, smoked, sweet food must be removed from the diet. It is not recommended to use products that enhance the production of gastric juice. With fibrosis, heavy drinking and fractional nutrition are indicated.
For the treatment, medications of a wide spectrum of action are prescribed. In particular, antispasmodics, anti-vomiting drugs, drugs with digestive enzymes.
The operation is prescribed only as a last resort, for example, with the formation of very large tumors that press on adjacent organs. To prevent the growth of neoplasms, patients with fibrosis are recommended to follow a strict diet, bed rest, as well as the elimination of other provoking factors.
Drug therapy
Drug treatment of pancreatic fibrosis is selected taking into account the severity of the disease and the individual tolerance of the drugs. Etiotropic therapy is mainly prescribed.
With severe dyspeptic symptoms, enzyme preparations are prescribed that facilitate the process of digesting food. Additionally, antispasmodic, antiemetic, anti-inflammatory drugs can be prescribed.
Folk remedies
For the treatment of the pancreas, alternative methods are used only as adjunctive therapy. Here are some recipes.
- Take 1 tbsp. l dry dill seeds and pour them with 300 ml of boiling water. Put well brew and filter. Apply the finished product regularly.
- Take 1 tsp. mint and brew 1 tbsp. boiling water. Let stand for 40 minutes, and then filter and drink before eating. This remedy helps get rid of nausea.
- Take 1 tbsp. oats, rinse well and pour 1 liter of boiling water. Rinse for about 1 hour. When the broth has cooled, filter it through cheesecloth. The finished product helps to eliminate fibrous damage to the pancreas.
Dieting
During therapy, it is recommended to follow a special diet. Fried, greasy and irritating foods should be excluded from the diet. It provokes increased production of pancreatic enzymes, which increases the load on this organ. The menu should be designed so that there are at least 5 meals per day.
All dishes need to be steamed, baked fruits in the oven, and boiled vegetables. The main diet consists of cereals, lean meat, cereals and vegetables. Sweet foods are allowed no more than 1 time per day, and they need to be consumed in a minimal amount. As drinks, you should choose fruit drinks, black and green tea, decoctions of berries and vegetables, compotes.
Possible complications
With an easy course of the disease as fibrosis, the pancreas does not change too much. In addition, the pathological process poses absolutely no threat to health, since it only signals the need for the start of treatment.
Severe diffuse forms threaten the patient with dangerous complications. That is why you need to regularly take enzyme preparations, as well as undergo a course of therapy in the departments of gastroenterology. The thing is that the most effective method of therapy does not exist. This means that the pancreas will no longer function normally.
Of particular danger is additional fatty or cystic degeneration against the background of the course of chronic diseases. As a result, there may be necrosis of the pancreatic parenchyma. This condition threatens a person’s life.
Forecast
With pancreatic fibrosis, the prognosis depends on several factors, in particular:
- features of the functioning of the affected organ;
- the extent of the spread of the disease;
- lifestyle of the patient.
If a person will strictly comply with all the doctor’s prescriptions and lead a healthy lifestyle, then he has every chance to live a long and happy life. However, for this you will have to regularly take enzyme preparations, refuse alcohol and tobacco smoking.
Prophylaxis
Since fibrosis cannot be completely cured, prophylaxis is recommended in a timely manner. First of all, you need to get rid of the irritants that provoke the onset of the disease. These include such as:
- smoking;
- alcohol abuse;
- overeating fatty foods.
It is important to eliminate nutritional errors, drink as much fluid as possible, not overload yourself with intense physical exertion, and avoid stress. In the presence of chronic diseases, it is important to stop attacks in a timely manner. Particular attention should be paid to the period of remission of pancreatic inflammation, when the pancreas can become inflamed under the influence of provoking factors.
Patients with fibrosis are subject to mandatory medical examination and are sent to a hospital. Patients are registered for a routine examination and to clarify the full picture and study the degree of pathological changes.