Pancreatitis: causes and symptoms

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that often progresses due to excessive consumption of alcohol and fatty, fried foods. The disease is most often diagnosed in adults. It develops due to impaired outflow of pancreatic secretions.

The pancreas is an organ of mixed secretion that performs endocrine and exocrine functions. The latter is responsible for the synthesis of pancreatic juice. It contains enzymes that help the body digest food.

Pancreatic juice must enter the duodenum, where it is involved in digestion. However, during the inflammatory process, it remains in the pancreas, where it destroys its tissue. This is how self-digestion (autolysis) occurs, which affects the formation of pancreatitis.

There are many classifications of chronic pancreatitis, so only the common causes and symptoms of pancreatitis will be listed below.

Reasons

• Alcohol abuse and smoking. Alcohol can cause worsening of the outflow of pancreatic juice;
• Life trauma;
• Overeating and the predominance of fatty, fried and spicy foods in the diet.

The development of the disease can also be affected by other health problems: tumors that prevent the outflow of pancreatic juice into the duodenum (duodenum), biliary obstruction, gastritis, hepatitis, gallstones, cholecystitis and more.

Symptoms of pancreatitis

Paroxysmal acute pain is mostly of considerable intensity. The pain appears in the upper abdomen and may return to the back;

• Increase in saliva, belching, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, which does not bring relief;
• Decreased or no appetite;
• Eating cause™s pain attacks, so patients often consciously limit themselves in food;
• Bloating, rumbling in the abdomen and diarrhea (3-4 times a day);
• With certain types of pancreatitis there may be fever, hypotension, tachycardia and general weakness.

Complication

Pancreatitis can cause mechanical jaundice. This is a violation of bile drainage through the biliary tract. It can provoke cholangitis - a purulent inflammation of the biliary tract.

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It can also cause ascites. This is an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. With the growth of ascites, pierce the abdomen in order to release excess fluid.

Diabetic coma can be one of the early complications of the disease. A person who has had pancreatitis for several years may also develop diabetes. Gastrointestinal and biliary fistulas may also occur. These are pathological channels that connect pathological foci or internal organs. They are treated surgically.

Acute hepatic and renal failure may be complications.

Advice

• Your diet should always be moderate;
• Follow a balance of fats and proteins in the diet;
• Do not abuse alcohol and quit smoking;
• Only take medication as prescribed by your doctor.

The risk group includes people who drink alcohol, smoke, have gallstones, hepatitis, gastritis, hormonal disorders and cystic fibrosis (usually the cause of pancreatitis in children). Such people should monitor the course of the disease and be regularly examined by a doctor.

The symptoms of pancreatitis are very similar to most diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, so you should immediately consult a gastroenterologist, because timely diagnosis and proper treatment can protect you from the consequences.