Calculous pancreatitis is a dangerous disease that is accompanied by inflammation of the pancreatic tissue with the further formation of solid calculi in the ducts of the organ. This ailment is considered a precancerous condition and therefore requires timely diagnosis and adequate therapy.
Of course, many people are interested in more information. Why does acute calculous pancreatitis develop? What symptoms should cause anxiety? What can a doctor offer? Are the forecasts favorable? The answers to these questions are worth exploring.
General information about the disease
Calculous pancreatitis is a very dangerous pathology, which is accompanied by the formation of calculi in the structures of the pancreas. It is believed that the trigger in this case is a change in the chemical composition of pancreatic juice. In the ducts of the gland small neoplasms are formed from phosphate or carbonate lime. The stones are usually small, not too dense and resemble small grains of white or grayish color.
Similar neoplasms accumulate in the ducts of the pancreas, preventing the normal outflow of pancreatic juice. The fluid begins to accumulate, which leads to the expansion of the duct, activation of pathogenic microflora and the further development of the inflammatory process.
In modern medicine, both acute and chronic calculous pancreatitis are distinguished. Cholecystitis, hepatitis, poor nutrition, taking medications - all this can trigger the development of this disease, which is not so easy to treat.
The main reasons for the appearance
In fact, medicine knows a large number of factors, the impact of which can provoke the development of such an ailment. But, according to statistics, in most cases, the formation of calculi in the ducts of the pancreas occurs against the background of the progression of other diseases. This is why calculous pancreatitis develops:
- Cholecystitis and other diseases of the gallbladder often lead to damage to the pancreas.
- The list of causes includes hepatitis, as well as other liver diseases.
- Potentially dangerous in this case are ulcerative lesions of the walls of the stomach and intestines.
- Calculous pancreatitis can be the result of various pathologies of the vascular system and connective tissues.
- Of great importance in this case is nutrition. The quality of food consumed directly affects the synthetic activity of the pancreas. Excessive stress on the organ can provoke the development of inflammation.
- Risk factors include bad habits, in particular, the use of alcohol, drugs, smoking. All this irritates the mucous membranes of the digestive tract.
- The cause of inflammation may be the improper administration of certain medications, in particular antibacterial drugs.
- A certain role is played by the ecological situation, the degree of environmental pollution, the quality of water and the food used.
Calculous pancreatitis: symptoms
Of course, the features of the clinical picture depend on the form of the disease and the stage of its development. The first sign, of course, is pain. The localization of unpleasant sensations directly depends on the degree of damage to the organ by calcifications.
If stones have accumulated in the head and body areas of the gland, then patients complain of pain in the middle part of the abdomen and epigastric region. Sometimes stones are present only in the body of the gland, in which case the pain radiates to the right side of the abdomen. If discomfort occurs in the left hypochondrium, this may indicate an accumulation of calcifications in the tail of the pancreas. Often there is a defeat of the entire organ - patients suffer from severe herpes zoster.
Of course, there are other violations that are simply impossible not to pay attention to:
- heart rate increases;
- sweating appears;
- body weight gradually decreases, which is associated with a decrease in appetite and incomplete digestion and, accordingly, the assimilation of food;
- stool problems
- frequent bouts of nausea, which often end in vomiting.
Unlike hepatitis, this pathology is not accompanied by yellowness of the sclera of the eyes and skin. Sometimes the accumulation of stones affects insulin synthesis - there is a risk of developing diabetes, especially when it comes to chronic inflammation.
Features of the diagnostic process
It is very important to diagnose an ailment in the early stages of development. the doctor will do this right at the consultation. The sooner treatment of calculous pancreatitis is started, the higher the likelihood of a quick and complete recovery:
- First of all, patients are recommended to donate blood and urine for laboratory analysis. An increase in white blood cell count confirms the presence of inflammation. In addition, against the background of the formation of calculi, an increase in amylase level is observed.
- Ultrasound is a fairly informative, simple and affordable procedure. During the examination, the doctor can determine the presence of enlarged pancreatic ducts.
- In addition, an x-ray is taken, which allows you to detect the stones themselves (especially if they are large enough).
- If the above procedures did not provide the doctor with enough information, then the patient is sent for endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (the technique makes it possible to examine the ducts of the organ from the inside).
Conservative therapy
What to do with a similar disease? How to relieve severe pain with calculous pancreatitis? This is asked by many patients at the doctor’s appointment. Immediately it should be said that drug therapy in this case is only auxiliary. Some drugs help to cope with symptoms, while others restore the digestive system:
- With severe pain, analgesics and lubricants are used, in particular, “Analgin”, “Drotaverin”, “Papaverin”, “No-shpa”.
- Applied and anti-ulcer properties - "Famotidine", "Gastroceptin", "Ranitidine."
- Enzymatic drugs, for example, Pancreatin, Mezim, Festal, are also included in the treatment regimen. They help relieve stress from the pancreas and improve digestion.
- Antacids are also used, in particular, “Maalox”, “Almagel”, “Dalargin”.
Surgical intervention
According to statistics, only occasionally is it possible to cope with the disease with the help of medications. In most cases, surgery is required. If possible, then drainage of the pancreatic ducts is carried out.
Sometimes the doctor establishes an anastomosis by connecting the pancreatic duct and the cavity of the small intestine - this helps to restore the normal outflow of pancreatic juice. If there is an extensive lesion of the organ, then the doctor can decide on its complete resection.
After surgery, the patient is prescribed appropriate medications, as well as physiotherapeutic procedures. Recommended spa treatment and periodic examinations.
Calculous pancreatitis: diet
With such a disease, diet is very important. Improper nutrition in this case only creates additional stress on the pancreas, further exacerbating the patient's condition. The rules for making an optimal diet are quite simple:
- Smoked, too salty, as well as spicy, fried and fatty dishes are contraindicated, since all this negatively affects the state of the pancreas, irritates the mucous membranes of the digestive tract.
- It is necessary to abandon alcohol and carbonated drinks.
- It is better to refuse pork. It is allowed to use rabbit meat, poultry meat, low-fat fish varieties, but it is better to cook them steamed (in no case do not fry).
- It is allowed to eat vegetable soups, mashed potatoes, cereals (oatmeal is considered especially useful).
- The diet should include fermented milk products, omelets, low-fat cottage cheese.
- As for drinking, herbal teas, jelly, a rosehip broth are useful. From coffee and strong black tea should be abandoned at least for a while.
- The best option is fractional nutrition - eat a little, but often.
Folk remedies: what can you do yourself?
Some products can be prepared at home:
- An effective tincture of walnut is considered.
- Patients are advised to drink a decoction of oat grains (they must first be ground in a coffee grinder).
- Doctors recommend drinking chamomile tea, which helps relieve inflammation.
- Effective are decoctions of leaves and roots of dandelion.
- Decoctions and infusions from calamus root also help with digestive problems.
Naturally, you can use the medicine only with the permission of the doctor, that is, only after consultation with a specialist. Traditional medicine can only be used as auxiliary methods.
Predictions for Patients
Predictions in this case directly depend on at what stage the disease was diagnosed. With calculous pancreatitis, there is always a risk of degeneration of the pathology into a full-fledged oncological disease. Sometimes such a lesion of the pancreas leads to disability. However, the likelihood of a favorable outcome is also there.
Prevention: is it possible to prevent the development of the disease?
Unfortunately, there are no special drugs or other means that could completely protect against the development of calculous pancreatitis. On the other hand, following some simple rules greatly reduces the risk of developing an ailment.
It is very important to monitor nutrition, eat only light, properly cooked food. Experts recommend quitting smoking and drinking alcohol - these bad habits negatively affect the digestive system in the first place. Try to spend more time outdoors, strengthen immunity, have a good rest and, of course, avoid stressful situations.
If you notice any deterioration, then urgently need to inform your doctor and undergo a comprehensive diagnosis. As you know, the sooner therapy begins, the higher the likelihood of a successful outcome.