The role of the pancreas in the proper functioning of the body is extremely great, but people who do not have a special medical education understand its significance only if they directly encounter violations of its functions. Only then will they know exactly why the pancreas is needed, where it is and how it hurts. It seems better to get basic knowledge about the functioning of this organ and possible diseases - and most importantly, about their prevention - in advance.
The purpose of the gland
The pancreas, among other organs, is part of the human digestive tract. The name of this gland indicates that it is located under the stomach, but this is if you judge this when the person is in a prone position. In a standing position, she is more likely behind the stomach, in the left hypochondrium, above the navel. Its structure is such that it distinguishes three sections: the head, body and tail. This is not the largest organ. In an adult, it reaches a length of 15-20 cm, and a width and thickness of at least 3 cm. The many lobules that make up the pancreas, in turn, are built from two types of cells.
Some of them - and most of them - have ducts and secrete pancreatic juice, while others do not have ducts and produce hormones, mainly insulin and glucagon, which affect blood sugar levels. That is, this body combines tasks while participating in digestion and performing endocrine functions. Digestive function is carried out through the production of enzymes: amylase converts complex carbohydrates into glucose, trypsin breaks down protein, lipase - fats. These enzymes begin to work only when they enter the intestine, but in the gland itself they are not active, otherwise the organ would begin to digest itself. As you can see, although the digestion process begins even in the oral cavity, it is the pancreas that is responsible for the successful breakdown and assimilation of the main nutrients by the body. Where this organ is located and how painful it is - that is why it is simply necessary to know, especially since in general iron has a tremendous effect on metabolism.
The characteristic pathology of the pancreas
A number of diseases affecting the pancreas are known. The reasons for this are mainly inadequate and irregular nutrition, stress and bad habits, as well as a genetic predisposition. Most often, pancreatitis is diagnosed - acute or chronic, diabetes mellitus, malignant tumors. A disease such as a pancreatic cyst is less common and much more difficult to recognize, the symptoms and treatment of which will be discussed in detail below.
This disease is characterized by the fact that inside the pancreas or on its surface, cavities form - sacs that are filled with liquid. These pouches can, increasing in size, squeeze other organs. In the case of suppuration or rupture of the cyst, the consequences can be even more serious, even fatal. Cysts can be located anywhere in the gland, from the head to the tail.
More on cysts
All cysts by their origin can be divided into two types: there are true cysts, and there are pseudocysts. True cysts, in turn, can be congenital, post-traumatic, be a consequence of a violation of the patency of the pancreatic duct, parasitic (when infected with echinococcus from domestic animals or opisthorchiasis from river fish), neoplastic. The latter arise as a result of tumor processes. Pseudocysts, or false cysts, are usually the result of past pancreatitis or trauma. In this case, true cysts are lined with an epithelium inside, in contrast to false ones.
It is possible to diagnose a cyst on the pancreas during external examination if it has reached a sufficiently large size. Exactly determine its presence using ultrasound or computed tomography. The disease can occur without any symptoms at all, especially when the cyst is congenital and small. Such cysts most often do not disturb their owner, and are detected quite by accident.
Symptoms of the disease
As for signs that a cyst has formed on the pancreas, usually a person is worried about pain in the hypochondrium - both left and right, as well as in the epigastric region. In this case, the pain can be of a different nature: dull and sharp, constant or paroxysmal, it can be girdle, give it to the back. In addition, a person loses weight, quickly gets tired, complains of digestive disorders. In general, if a pancreatic cyst has appeared, the symptoms and treatment directly depend on its size, on where exactly it is localized, and which organs are compressed by it.
The cyst of the head of the pancreas, as a rule, leads to compression of the bile ducts, up to their complete blockade, and therefore jaundice very often develops. With this localization of the cyst, it can be felt above the navel. The pancreatic tail cyst can be felt in the left hypochondrium.
Treatment options for pancreatic cysts
As for treatment, in the case of small, asymptomatic single cysts, it may not be necessary. It will be enough to regularly monitor their growth and condition, as well as how they affect neighboring organs. If the cyst is large enough, more than 5 cm in diameter, or rapidly growing, or suppurating; if because of it there is obstruction of the bile ducts or intestines, if a cyst ruptures, surgery is inevitable. But indeed, cyst removal is rarely performed, only according to strict indications, when it comes to the patient’s life, as this is technically an extremely complex and responsible process, requiring a certain experience and competence of the surgeon. Such an operation is carried out if the cyst is very large, or its malignant degeneration is detected.
Among physicians, the pancreas has the glory of one of the most complex and unpredictable organs. If a pancreatic cyst is diagnosed, the operation is complicated by the features of its location. It is located behind the stomach, and even in close proximity to many vital organs. In addition, the tissue of the organ itself is very fragile, it is difficult to stitch it. Pancreatic surgery is fraught with dangerous complications.
Methods of surgical intervention in the case of cysts
More often, they do not remove the cyst, but drain it, that is, emptying it internally or through the skin, using a thin needle. After emptying the cyst cavity, sometimes repeatedly, there are prerequisites for this neoplasm to be replaced by connective tissue. With large cysts, this procedure will not help, and is used as a preparatory stage for the operation. If the cyst cavity is connected to the duct of the gland - and this is determined by puncture, then using a special thin tube it is connected either to the stomach, if the cyst is located in the caudal region of the pancreas, or to the duodenum, if its location is the head of the gland. If the message of the cyst and duct of the gland is not confirmed, then a special substance is introduced into the capsule of the cyst, causing the closure of its walls. If the cyst is located in the tail of the organ, then its excision is also possible.
In general, in the case of a disease such as a pancreatic cyst, the prognosis for complete healing is quite favorable even with surgical intervention, provided that this pathology is not very neglected. It is clear how important is the timely diagnosis of any neoplasm and the determination of its nature.
Alternative treatments
Almost every disease that can affect the human body, one way or another is treated not only by the possibilities of traditional medicine, but also by methods of folk healing. This can be treated differently. Do not completely give preference to one of these areas, completely ignoring the other. But nature tells man many ways to alleviate the condition of diseases. She did not ignore a disease such as a pancreatic cyst. Symptoms and treatment are all described by folk healers. Perhaps it will not be amiss to listen to some recipes, especially since even traditional medicine does not find contraindications for them - there will definitely be no harm.
Herbs
So, what are the recipes for alternative treatment for pancreatic cysts? First of all, these are herbal preparations. Natural herbal remedies - this is perhaps the main thing that alternative medicine is worth. In the case of cysts, it is proposed to use a mixture of calendula flowers, yarrow and celandine for a month. Celandine should be especially careful - its overdose can lead to poisoning. The components are mixed in equal amounts, pour a teaspoon of the collection with a mug of boiling water, insist in warmth for about an hour. Drink the infusion before meals, in small portions of about a quarter cup, drinking 200-250 ml per day. Such tea has a choleretic, anti-inflammatory and wound healing effect.
It is recommended to use herbs such as tansy, immortelle, plantain, St. John's wort, chamomile, aloe and others for the treatment of cysts on the pancreas. Some sources mention leaves of lingonberry, blueberry, wild strawberry, currant.
Mummy and other means
This natural mineral-organic product is famous for its absorbable and healing qualities. Its use is not excluded in the case of such a problem as the formation of a cyst on the pancreas. It is proposed to dissolve a piece of mummy the size of a match head within two weeks.
It is useful in case of any pathologies of the pancreas, and the appearance of a cyst including drinking warm alkaline mineral water. Despite the help of natural remedies, the pancreatic cyst, its symptoms and treatment, in order to avoid possible complications, should be regularly monitored by a doctor.
Prevention
In order to avoid problems with such an organ as the pancreas, first of all, it is necessary to abandon bad habits - alcohol and smoking. All possible measures must be taken to reduce the burden on this body. And this implies a diet, the requirements of which are fairly standard: fatty, fried and spicy, smoked and pickled foods are excluded. In case of pancreatic dysfunction, legumes, as well as products rich in coarse fiber, such as cabbage, radish, radish, and some fruits, will not be useful.