Contents
Pancreas
– a vital organ that is responsible for various functions of the body. In addition to the fact that the gland produces insulin, it also carries an intrasecretory load and secretes enzymes into the duodenum that are involved in digestion. Each enzyme acts on its own substrate: alpha-amylase breaks down glycogen and starch; lipase – triglycerides, etc.
If the secretion of pancreatic juice is insufficient – the amount of bicarbonates is not released and the pH does not rise to the level needed to activate enzymes, this leads to insufficient absorption of proteins.
meet:
The author of this article is a leading gastroenterologist at the Prima Medica network of clinics,
doctor of the highest category Dzhizalov Atsamaz Khasanovich.
- work experience since 2006
- graduated from the Saratov Military Medical Institute
- clinical residency in 2016
Chronic pancreatitis
means a group of diseases of the pancreas, usually of an inflammatory nature, progressive, which leads to atrophy of the secreting tissue of the gland, resulting in a disruption of the functions of the gland (exocrine and endocrine). The disease “Chronic pancreatitis” is diagnosed in 8% of people who consult a gastroenterologist.
Forms of chronic pancreatitis
- painful;
- hyposecretory;
- astheno-neurotic;
- hidden and leaking;
Pancreatitis according to the nature of the course:
- with rare relapses;
- often recurrent;
- persistent.
Pancreatitis due to the reasons that caused the disease:
- biliary-dependent, that is, developed against the background of diseases of the biliary tract;
- alcoholic;
- developed against the background of metabolic disorders – dysmetabolic;
- infectious;
- drug;
- idiopathic (the cause cannot be determined).
Causes of development of chronic pancreatitis
There are several reasons, the main ones being:
- alcohol,
- heredity,
- errors in diet,
- long-term treatment with certain drugs,
- disturbance of blood supply to the pancreas,
- cholelithiasis,
- condition after removal of the gallbladder,
- chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis
- mumps, papillostenosis, cicatricial stenosis of the duodenum, etc.
Risk factors for the development of chronic pancreatitis
Risk factors for the development of chronic pancreatitis include:
- lipid metabolism disorder (hyperlipidemia),
- diabetes,
- smoking, drinking coffee.
Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis
- exocrine insufficiency syndrome – impaired absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
- pain syndrome – when there is a violation of the outflow of pancreatic juice and increased pressure inside the ducts. The pain is usually constant and severe.
- inflammatory-destructive syndrome – leads to the formation of cysts, accompanied by compression of the bile ducts, the development of jaundice, and skin itching.
- endocrine deficiency syndrome: manifested by attacks of “ravenous hunger” and signs of diabetes mellitus with less need for insulin.
- asthenovegetative syndrome – weakness, irritability, sleep disturbance, decreased performance.
- dyspeptic syndrome – changes in appetite, nausea, vomiting, bloating.
Diagnosis of pancreatitis
In our medical center “Prima Medica” (Kaluzhskaya metro station, Novye Cheryomushki) you can undergo all the necessary diagnostics and treatment of this disease.
- examination by a gastroenterologist;
- laboratory tests (blood and stool tests)
- Ultrasound of the pancreas
Treatment of chronic pancreatitis
It must be comprehensive and constantly adjusted depending on the course of the disease and results. It is very important to maintain a proper diet and eliminate harmful factors. Drug treatment should be selected by a gastroenterologist in strict accordance with the characteristics of the course of the disease in a particular patient.