Sometimes gastroenterologists use a term such as pancreatic dysfunction. But what does this mean and is this diagnosis related to pancreatitis? Dysfunction involves the disruption of organ functions. In relation to the pancreas, this may be an increase in its functions or, conversely, failure. Often, the concept of dysfunction is used in parallel with the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis. This condition does not act as an independent disease, they denote a complex of symptoms that indicate that the pancreas is not working properly.
Symptoms of pathology
First of all, in patients with pancreatic dysfunction, a digestive disorder is observed, which may be accompanied by nausea, sometimes vomiting, belching, heartburn and rumbling in the stomach. Stool at the same time several times a day may be mushy. Residues of undigested food may be present. In addition, the stool may be accompanied by an unpleasant odor. Typically, such a chair leaves greasy marks on the toilet. Also, in patients with a similar disorder, there may be an alternation of constipation and diarrhea.
Pain in this pathology
Another symptom of pancreatic dysfunction is pain in the region of the latter - in the left hypochondrium. The pain in this case, as a rule, gives to the lumbar region. Pain can have a clear relationship with nutritional errors. Usually, pain intensifies after eating fatty, fried, spicy, smoked, and pickled foods. In addition, many patients experience increased pain against a background of psychoemotional stress. Another symptom of this disorder is weight loss, which occurs with prolonged malabsorption of nutrients and their digestion.
Symptoms and treatment of pancreatic dysfunction are interrelated.
Common symptoms of the disease
A number of common symptoms that are associated with chronic pain and metabolic failure include fatigue along with decreased performance, general weakness, signs of protein and vitamin deficiency, decreased immunity, hair loss, brittle nails, various skin rashes, and so on. Among other things, with the dysfunction of this organ, people have an imbalance in the intestinal microflora due to poor digestion of food products.
Causes of pathology
The most common cause of pancreatic dysfunction is the presence of a slowly progressive chronic pancreatitis in the patient, developing as an independent disease. Dysfunction of this organ can also be a direct response to the following factors:
- Irregular eating with a predominance of fatty, fried and spicy.
- Deficiency of food and vitamins and protein.
- Untreated pathology of the hepatobiliary system. For example, it can be chronic cholecystitis along with cholelithiasis, biliary dyskinesia and choledochopancreatic reflux, in which bile is thrown into the large pancreatic ducts.
- Excessive abuse of alcohol.
- The presence in a person of gastritis, duodenitis, peptic ulcer of the stomach and intestines.
In the event that the patient has a tendency to diseases of the digestive system, then liver and pancreas dysfunctions will certainly manifest themselves, therefore, such patients need to be careful in terms of nutrition, carefully regulating the choice of their diet. It is extremely important to pay attention to any digestive upset in a timely manner and it is mandatory to find out the reasons. Special care should be taken when consuming alcohol, since for the pancreas this is the most important damaging factor.
Diagnosis of this pathology
Before starting treatment for pancreatic dysfunction, it is necessary to establish an accurate diagnosis. For these purposes, the following research methods are used:
- Analysis of patient history and complaints.
- Examination, during which the doctor identifies pancreatic dysfunction-specific symptoms, determining the general condition of the patient.
- Conducting a biochemical blood test.
- Urinalysis for alpha amylase.
- Conducting an ultrasound examination of the pancreas. This study reflects the picture of changes in the tissue of the gland.
Disease treatment
The first step in therapy for signs of pancreatic dysfunction is therapeutic fasting. Thus, in the course of treatment by all available means, it is required to ensure the gland is absolutely at peace.
Of the medications, drugs are prescribed that reduce gastric secretion, for example, in the process of treatment, patients are prescribed “Omez” along with “Pantoprazole”, “Ranitidine” and “Kvamatel”. The use of one of these drugs is extremely necessary for this disease, since gastric juice is one of the main stimulants of pancreatic secretion.
In the presence of severe pain, patients are prescribed antispasmodics in the form of No-Shpa, Platifillina, Papaverina and Duspatalin. In the event that there are concomitant pathologies of the gallbladder or bile ducts, Urolesan can have a good effect. In this case, eight to fifteen drops of the medicine are used before meals. This drug based on plant materials perfectly relaxes spasmodic gall bladder and sphincter. With a deficiency of digestive enzymes, it is recommended to take pancreatin preparations with each meal. For example, the Mezim medicine along with Creon and Panzinorm is suitable for this.
The standard treatment regimen for chronic pancreatitis, which is the main culprit in pancreatic dysfunction, is to prescribe a combination of Pancreatin and Omeprazole for a long time (about ninety days continuously). Omeprazole is taken in a dosage of 20 milligrams in the morning or in the evening, and Pancreatin is prescribed to patients at 10 milligrams with each meal. The dosage of this medicine largely depends on the degree of enzyme deficiency.
Treatment of this pathology with mineral waters
During periods of remission, patients suffering from pancreatic dysfunction are prescribed treatment at drinking resorts such as Essentuki, Zheleznovodsk and Kislovodsk. When the first symptoms of pancreatic function deterioration appear, many doctors recommend taking mineral water in a heated form (it is important that the water is without gas). Essentuki, Borjomi and Narzan are ideally suited for this. During treatment, you should take up to one and a half liters per day.
Pathology Prevention
In order to prevent pancreatic dysfunction, it is necessary to have time to diagnose and cure pathologies that occur in the digestive system. Particular attention should be given to good nutrition. It is extremely important not to overeat, but also to avoid fatty, fried and smoked.
The use of fresh vegetables and fruits along with the intake of vitamin complexes will certainly help to significantly enrich your diet with useful components. You can’t rush while eating, you need to chew food properly, observing the diet. It is best to eat often in small portions. It is worth noting that this rule helps to avoid many diseases of the digestive system. This diet is the most optimal for the pancreas, which is always at risk at the slightest error in food.
Exercise for this disease
Feasible physical activity along with sports or gymnastics helps relieve people mental stress, while maintaining tone and normalizing metabolism. Pancreatic dysfunction is a disease that requires increased attention to the condition of your entire body as a whole. Any disturbances in the digestive system require mandatory medical advice and thorough diagnosis. Compliance with the diet, along with the implementation of the appointments of the gastroenterologist, will necessarily lead to the normalization of the general condition.
Particularly careful parents should be to the appearance of pancreatic dysfunction in the child. Untreated pathology of such an important organ can lead to extremely serious complications, and, in addition, to a significant deterioration in the quality of life of the baby.