Pancreas hurts, how to treat it?

Relevance of the problem

Pancreatitis is a very common pathology; over the past 30 years, the incidence rate has doubled. Over the past few years, the disease has become significantly younger: if previously the disorder was found in people aged 50+, now the main pool of patients are patients 35+.

Pancreatitis is increasingly affecting children, due to many factors.

Pancreatitis is a very dangerous disease, which can result in disruption of the entire body. In especially advanced cases, the disease can lead to death.

Pancreatitis - classification of the disease

Now let's talk about what pancreatitis is, symptoms and treatment in adult men and women. But first, let’s figure out why the pancreas is so important for the smooth functioning of the body.

There is an organ in the human body called the pancreas. The pancreas is located at the bottom of the stomach, communicating with the duodenum.

The organ is of great importance for the functioning of the entire human biosystem, as it performs a number of important functions:

• exocrine: synthesis of digestive juice, which contains many enzymes and promotes digestion;
• intrasecretory: synthesis of a number of hormones that affect carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism.

For example, the pancreas produces hormones such as glucagon and insulin, which regulate blood sugar levels. When this system is destabilized, a person may develop diabetes.

You should not use folk remedies to treat pancreatitis.

With pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas occurs. The activity of the organ is disrupted, which leads to many other disorders. Pancreatitis happens:

1. Acute
   . Active inflammation, in which a sick man constantly suffers from vivid symptoms of pancreatitis.

2. Chronic
   (most often a consequence of acute pancreatitis). In the chronic form, inflammation “sleeps.” The pancreas works, but with malfunctions. Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by a wave-like course with periods of rest and exacerbation.

Chronic pancreatitis is more dangerous because it is characterized by constant progression of the pathological process. With this form of the disease, irreversible structural and functional damage to the gland occurs, which is why it is gradually destroyed.

Causes of inflammation of the pancreas

Pancreatitis is a multifactorial disease. The main reasons for the development are as follows:

• excessive and frequent consumption of alcohol;
• systematic smoking;
• intoxication;
• abdominal trauma;
• viral, fungal or infectious disease;
• disease caused by parasites;
• obstruction of patency in the pancreatic ducts.

Inflammation of the pancreas often develops as a postoperative complication or complication of cholelithiasis. There is also a hereditary predisposition to pancreatitis.

For what reasons does pancreatitis develop in men?

Pancreatitis can develop in chronic or acute form. The provoking factors for these types of pathology are similar, but in the first case the inflammatory process is the primary disease, and in the second it develops against the background of various diseases of the digestive system and related organs. Acute pancreatitis can be treated and the risk of recurrent attacks can be eliminated. In the chronic form, exacerbation of the pathology will occur simultaneously with the progression of other inflammatory processes.

Pancreatitis statistics by causes

Acute form

The most common cause of acute pancreatitis is gallstone disease. The inflammatory process is provoked by blockage of the bile duct. Bile and gastric juice enter the pancreas tissue. This factor leads to disruption of the functional state of the organ. The gland begins to digest its own tissues. As a result of this process, inflammation develops.

Other causes of the acute form of the disease:

• violation of the diet and consumption of large amounts of junk food (an increase in the functioning of the pancreas leads to an increase in its choleretic and socogon effect);
• progression of infectious processes in the digestive system (inflammation is caused by pathogenic bacteria and viruses);
• injury to the abdomen and digestive organs;
• complications of peptic ulcer;
• uncontrolled use of certain medications;
• alcohol abuse (one of the most common causes);
• consequences of endocrine abnormalities in the body;
• progression of gastritis;
• some consequences of pathologies of the nervous system;
• duodenal dyskinesia.

Pathological classification of acute pancreatitis.

Chronic appearance

Chronic pancreatitis is a combination of complications of acute pathology and concomitant diseases that provoke a violation of the functional state of the pancreas. The main cause of the disease is inflammatory-dystrophic processes in the body.

Periodic attacks of exacerbation can be accompanied by long-term remissions, but only if the rules of prevention and adequate treatment are followed.

Other causes of the chronic form of the disease:

• 
  Externally, the gland with the development of the inflammatory process is edematous, swollen, matte, and pink. Often, pinpoint hemorrhages are observed on the surface. Hereditary factor and autoimmune abnormalities;

• progressive stage of cystic fibrosis;
• hyperlipidemia (an abnormality in which the level of lipids in the blood is significantly higher than normal);
• complications of liver pathologies (hepatitis, cirrhosis);
• consequences of hypocalcemia (critical lack of calcium in the body);
• uncontrolled use of drugs with a choleretic effect.

Clinical picture of pancreatitis

The clinical picture directly depends on the form of the disease. The main symptom of acute and chronic forms is pain, which is girdling or diffuse in nature.

In acute pancreatitis and exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis, the symptoms are the same.

In acute pancreatitis, the pain is very persistent, localized in the upper abdomen (epigastric region) and radiates to the back. The symptom worries constantly and does not stop even at rest. This form is also characterized by the following phenomena:

• vomiting mixed with bile (a bitter taste appears in the mouth), after which the patient does not feel better;

• hyperthermia;
• the skin becomes pale and cold.

Characteristic symptoms of chronic pancreatitis are frequent nausea, increased salivation, belching, problems with stool, bloating and flatulence. Due to an imbalance of enzymes and inhibition of the functioning of many biosystems, the patient may begin to lose weight.

Some patients develop obstructive jaundice against the background of pancreatitis, which is manifested by yellowing of the skin, lightening of the stool and darkening of the urine.

Also, with acute pancreatitis, the patient may develop pinpoint angiomas on the skin (purple droplets), pain on palpation of the pancreas, and hypotrophic changes in the skin over the organ.

Reasons for the development of pancreatitis

The main cause of the disease in men is alcohol abuse and smoking. These bad habits have the most negative effect on the cellular structure of the gland. Additional factors can provoke the pathological process, such as:

• errors in diet;
• urolithiasis and cholelithiasis;
• diseases of viral, fungal or infectious origin;
• uncontrolled use of medications;
• frequent stress;
• genetic predisposition.

Any of these reasons or a combination of them can cause symptoms of the disease, which can be acute or chronic.

Methods for diagnosing the disease

If you experience symptoms that are remotely similar to manifestations of pancreatitis, do not delay and immediately consult a doctor. In the absence of proper therapy, the disease can become chronic.

First of all, you should contact a therapist. The doctor will collect anamnesis, conduct an initial examination and examine the patient’s condition in detail. If he suspects pancreatitis, he will redirect the patient to a highly specialized doctor - a gastroenterologist. A doctor of this specialization specializes in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Gastroenterologists diagnose the disease in several stages:

1. Inspection
   . Particular attention is paid to the symptoms of acute and chronic pancreatitis.

2. Lab tests
   . General and biochemical analysis of blood and urine, sometimes analysis of stool. When examined, biological fluids reveal an increased amount of enzymes (not always in the acute form) and inflammatory factors. When analyzing blood, special attention is paid to amylase, and urine - to diastase. A stool test is done to evaluate the function of the gland. With pancreatic insufficiency, the level of digestive enzymes and fats changes in patients.
3. Imaging examinations
   . This may be X-ray, ultrasound, CT or MRI, ERCP, endoscopic ultrasonography. These tests can determine whether there are structural changes in the pancreas or related organs, whether there are blockages or other abnormalities.

After diagnosing and determining the type of pancreatitis, the gastroenterologist prescribes treatment. The treatment technique for acute and chronic forms is different.

First symptoms of the disease

The clinical symptoms of the disease in adult men and women are not particularly different. The course of pancreatitis depends on the stage of the inflammatory process, its form, cause and degree of damage to the gland.

• abdominal pain
  - their occurrence is associated with errors in diet, heavy physical labor or consumption of alcoholic beverages.
  The localization of pain depends on the area of ​​the gland affected. If the pathological process is located in the head of the organ, pain will be felt in the right hypochondrium, in the body of the gland - in the epigastric region, in the tail of the organ - in the left hypochondrium. Often the pain syndrome is girdling in nature, with pain radiating to the lower back:
• stool disorder
  - there is a change in the nature of the stool, which becomes liquid or mushy with a shiny surface from undigested fat;

• dyspepsia
  - nausea, vomiting after eating;
• phenomena of intoxication
  - weakness, malaise, fever to subfebrile levels.

The appearance of the first symptoms of pancreatic disease in men due to alcohol consumption is often not a reason to visit a doctor. Lack of medical care leads to worsening inflammation and increased clinical symptoms with each attack.

Treatment tactics for pancreatitis

As already mentioned, the treatment tactics for acute and chronic pancreatitis are different. If the inflammation is very active, the patient may be admitted to the hospital.

In the acute form, the main goal of therapy is to relieve symptoms and create complete functional rest of the pancreas. To combat the symptoms of the disorder, the patient is prescribed the following medications:

• proton pump inhibitors, which block the synthesis of hydrochloric acid (it stimulates the pancreas to produce digestive enzymes);
• digestive enzymes, which will additionally relieve the gland;

• antispasmodics that relax the pancreatic duct sphincter.

If the patient has metabolic disorders, he is prescribed vitamins. In case of electrolyte imbalance, appropriate medications are prescribed.

If cysts, stones and other formations are detected in the patient, endoscopy/stenting is performed to remove them.

In acute pancreatitis, nutrition is completely limited. Therapeutic fasting is introduced for several days so that the pancreas can “rest” and not take an active part in the synthesis of digestive enzymes. To avoid negative effects on the gastrointestinal tract, the patient is prescribed parenteral nutrition (intravenous administration of nutrients). On average, it takes three to five days to stabilize a patient with acute pancreatitis.

After treatment of acute pancreatitis, the patient can be prescribed a therapeutic diet Pevzner No. 5P.

It exists in two variations, the type is selected depending on the patient’s condition. For therapeutic purposes, medicinal mineral waters are prescribed (Narzan, Essentuki No. 7 and 14).

Features of the treatment of chronic pancreatitis

Therapy for chronic pancreatitis is more global. The specifics of treatment depend on the type of disease (pancreatitis can be hypersecretory or hypoenzymatic).

Exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis is treated in the same way as acute pancreatitis.

Treatment of the disease consists of two parts. The first is pain control and slowing the progression of pancreatitis. For this, the patient may be prescribed:

• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors;
• gabapentin;

• pregabalin;
• tricyclic antidepressants.

In especially severe cases, the doctor may prescribe opioid painkillers. But this is rarely done, since there is a high risk of developing dependence. Patients with chronic pancreatitis are also prescribed drugs with digestive enzymes. They reduce the synthesis of these substances in the organ itself, thereby unloading it and reducing pain.

In people with chronic pancreatitis, the risk of developing diabetes mellitus increases significantly, since due to structural changes in the pancreas, the number of islets of Langerhans (responsible for the balance of insulin and some other hormones) decreases.

Diet for pancreatitis

Nutrition is the most fundamental part of pancreatitis therapy. Almost everything depends on it: the patient’s condition, the rate of progression of the disease, the number of exacerbations, etc. List of foods that should be completely avoided for this disease:

• barley and corn porridge;
• legumes;
• fat milk, kefir and other dairy products;
• soups fried in strong broth;
• fatty meat and fish (pork, lamb, mackerel, etc.);
• all semi-finished products, canned food (meat, fish, fruit and vegetables), pickles;

• sauces, especially store-bought ones;
• some vegetables: eggplant, onion, bell pepper, cabbage, radish;
• sweets;
• mushrooms;
• Rye bread;
• soda, strong tea and coffee, juices.

The daily caloric intake for a patient with chronic pancreatitis is approximately 2500 kcal. You need to eat in small portions. Dishes cannot be prepared by frying; it is allowed to steam or boil food. It is recommended to limit the consumption of salt and fat.

With chronic pancreatitis, the patient will have to almost completely change his lifestyle. You need to completely give up such bad habits as drinking alcohol and smoking.

It is necessary to minimize the amount of stress and intense physical activity. You should exercise and control your body weight. Only with an integrated approach can you keep the gland healthy (as far as possible with chronic pancreatitis) and minimize the number of exacerbations.

Example of a weekly menu

Many patients believe that nutrition for pancreatitis and the menu for every day, taking into account all the contraindications and nuances, turns out to be very boring and not varied, but this is not so. People with damaged pancreas can also eat tasty food. Here is a sample menu for a week for a patient with chronic pancreatitis:

It is important that the food is not very structured. To further reduce the load on the gastrointestinal tract, you can crush it in a blender.

Fruits, vegetables, lean meat (beef, chicken, rabbit), vegetables and fruits, some cereals, herbs, seeds (flax and others) - all this can be eaten with pancreatitis of the pancreas. You can create the menu yourself, taking into account these recommendations.

Diet for pancreatitis

Dietary nutrition for pancreatitis is the basis for restoring pancreatic function. Treatment table No. 5p according to Pevzner is recommended after acute pain subsides and fasting for 3 days. With the help of dietary nutrition, goals are determined that can be achieved by:

• normalize the secretory function of the pancreas;
• reduce congestion in the duodenum;

• reduce excitability of the gallbladder;
• reduce the load on the intestines;
• prevent pathological degeneration of the cellular structures of the pancreas.

Diet is an integral part of the treatment process for pancreatitis. Dietary nutrition requires strict adherence to certain food rules, such as:

• meals should be fractional, every 2-3 hours in small portions;
• the volume of 1 serving of food per meal should not exceed 250 g;
• food is consumed warm;
• Food is steamed without salt and taken pureed.

Compliance with nutritional rules must be constant. How a man adheres to them determines his recovery after an exacerbation of the disease and the duration of remission. Table No. 5p suggests a list of foods that can be consumed by a man with pancreatitis:

• “yesterday’s” white bread made from premium flour;
• rice, buckwheat, oatmeal, semolina porridge, cooked in water;
• vegetable puree soups with pureed cereals;
• dietary varieties of chicken, turkey, rabbit;
• low-fat varieties of sea fish;
• soft-boiled or steamed eggs;
• low-fat dairy products (kefir, fermented baked milk, sour cream, cottage cheese);
• pureed boiled vegetables;
• fruit jelly, compotes, mousses;
• weak black or green tea, rosehip infusion, chamomile infusion, freshly squeezed juices diluted half with water.

The following products are prohibited for pancreatitis:

• fresh white and rye bread;
• confectionery and flour products;
• legumes;
• rich meat broths;
• fatty beef, lamb, pork;
• animal fats;
• cabbage, eggplant, onion, garlic;
• fresh fruits in their natural form;
• alcoholic and carbonated drinks;
• chocolate, coffee, cocoa, ice cream, any jam.

Such restrictions in the choice of foods in the diet prevent stress on the pancreas and its irritation. The diet must be followed by a man constantly. Its gradual expansion is possible only on the recommendation of a doctor and in stable remission of the disease, confirmed by laboratory tests.

Surgery

Often, with chronic pancreatitis, patients develop stones that block the channels and ducts of the pancreas. They can worsen the condition of the organ or become a source of pain, so they are removed surgically.

When dilatation of the pancreatic duct is present, a bypass is performed from the organ to the small intestine. When there are structural changes in the gland or a large amount of inflamed mass, partial excision of the organ is performed.

A strong pancreas is the key to a healthy body

The pancreas affects a person’s well-being, his weight and even his psycho-emotional state, so you need to carefully monitor its health. To ensure that the organ performs its function correctly and does not suffer from pancreatitis, adhere to the following rules of prevention:

• give up or reduce to a minimum alcohol consumption and smoking;
• stop eating soda, processed foods, fast food and other food garbage;

• reduce too spicy and fatty foods in your diet;
• in your diet, give preference to lean meats, vegetables, herbs and other healthy foods.

If you experience pain or other unpleasant symptoms, contact your doctor and do not wait for them to go away on their own. Remember, timely identification of the problem is the key to its successful treatment.

Why does pancreatitis occur more often in men than in women?

According to medical statistics, pancreatitis is diagnosed more often in men than in women. This factor is associated with the nuances of lifestyle and psychological characteristics of the male body. Inflammation of the pancreas can occur against the background of psychosomatic abnormalities.

Men, exposed to stressful situations, rarely “give free rein to their emotions.” Constant internal tension provokes disruptions in the digestive tract.

Other reasons for the tendency of men to pathology:

• tendency to eat junk food and eating disorders;
• abuse of bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol);
• professional activities associated with heavy physical activity.