The pancreas is a large organ that produces enzymes for the digestive process, and also produces certain types of hormones that are involved in metabolic processes.
Causes of inflammation of the gland
The causes of inflammation of the pancreas can be quite diverse, but the main provocative factor of the doctors called alcohol abuse and clogging the bile ducts with stones. Also, the inflammatory process can begin as a result of injury to the pancreas or other organ of the abdominal cavity. The emergence of inflammation of the pancreas can be a side effect when taking certain medicines (antibiotics, hormones, immunostimulants).
Signs and symptoms of the disease
Pain sensations that appeared in the upper abdomen may be the first symptom of the onset of pancreatic inflammation. In most cases, the localization of pain can determine which part of the gland inflamed:
- So, the symptom of pancreatic tail inflammation will be the pain felt in the region of the left hypochondrium. This pain can extend to the area between the IV thoracic and I lumbar vertebrae.
- With inflammation of the pancreas head, the pain symptom most often appears on the right side under the ribs, occupying the area between the VI and XI vertebrae.
- The inflamed body of the pancreas can cause pain in the epigastric region.
The pain in pancreatitis itself can be characterized as:
- stupid;
- unfolding;
- pressing;
- stinging.
Typically, pain appears after eating heavy heavy meals and in the second half of the day, especially strongly manifested in a lying position. By night the pain syndrome is worse.
In addition to pain, a person can feel attacks of nausea accompanied by vomiting that does not bring relief. Because of the disruption of digestive enzyme production, there are problems with digesting food:
- bloating ;
- constant eructations;
- the reverse release of undigested food into the esophagus, which causes irritation and heartburn.
It is also possible the appearance of fear of eating or aversion to food, which leads to weight loss.
When an acute inflammation of the pancreas occurs, the changes in the skin are added to the above symptoms. They become painfully pale with an earthy tinge, when touched, the skin is sticky and cold. Sign of inflammation of the pancreas is its increase and soreness in palpation in the epigastric region 4-5 cm above the navel.
An indication of chronic inflammation of the pancreas may be the presence of small spots of red color, located on the skin of the stomach, sides and chest.
During defecation, you can notice a change in the amount and quality of the stool. As a rule, its volume increases, has a softened structure and oily shine. In addition, the composition may contain undigested pieces of food, and the smell becomes fetid. In some cases, inflammation of the pancreas can cause diarrhea.
In acute pancreatitis, the symptoms of the disease appear abruptly and go on increasing, accompanied by the appearance of such symptoms as:
- rise of temperature;
- increased heart rate;
- decrease in pressure.
As a rule, the attack of pancreatitis passes by itself.
Diagnostic methods
To clarify the diagnosis, with the above symptoms, it is possible to use additional diagnostic tools:
- laboratory and biochemical blood tests;
- Ultrasound ;
- FGS;
- laparoscopy;
- tomography;
- X-ray.