The first signs of inflammation of the pancreas

Many people complain of recurrent abdominal discomfort. Sometimes this symptom is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Almost all of these violations occurred. However, in some cases, such symptoms appear frequently. Especially after a person used fatty, hard-to-digest foods. Unfortunately, not everyone goes to the doctor if such symptoms occur. Many believe that these violations indicate poisoning and will pass independently. This opinion is erroneous, since these symptoms are often associated with a chronic inflammatory process in the pancreas (pancreatitis). This organ is necessary for the normal functioning of the digestive system. In healthy people, the pancreas produces a large number of enzymes that are involved in the digestion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. In addition, it synthesizes hormones, including insulin, glucagon, somatostatin. Signs of inflammation of the pancreas indicate that the work of the organ is impaired. To restore its functioning, it is necessary to treat and maintain a diet. Otherwise, chronic inflammation develops. In this case, the symptoms will be repeated every time, as soon as the patient eats something fatty or fried.

Inflammation of the pancreas: causes

To suspect pancreatitis, you need to know what signs of inflammation of the pancreas exist. First of all, it is a pain in the abdomen and nausea. Such violations do not occur suddenly, they are always preceded by an error in nutrition. Proceeding from this, it is possible to single out the first signs of inflammation of the pancreas. These include:

1. Intolerance to alcoholic beverages. As you know, frequent drinking alcohol has a bad effect on health. To a greater extent, this affects the liver and pancreas. Therefore, the reception of alcoholic beverages is one of the main reasons for the development of pancreatitis.
2. Nausea after eating heavy food. To difficult digestible products include animal fats, fried, excessively salty and spicy food. Also, unpleasant sensations can be noted when you abuse flour products.

Malnutrition and intake of alcoholic beverages are the main causes of pancreatitis. Under the influence of these factors, the pancreas is inflamed. The signs of inflammation do not appear immediately. Often, these causes lead to chronic pancreatitis. The first signs of acute inflammation are different. They resemble the symptoms of foodborne disease. Distinction is the expressed pain, extending not only on a surface of a stomach, but also giving in a back.

Mechanism of development of signs of inflammation of the pancreas

The causes and signs of inflammation of the pancreas are closely related. After all, symptoms appear only after exposure to a provoking factor (alcohol, fatty foods). It is worth knowing that acute and chronic pancreatitis are very different. In the first case, the mechanism of development of pathology is self-digestion of the pancreas. In healthy people, pancreatic enzymes are secreted in an inactive state. Split proteins, fats and carbohydrates, they begin, only reaching the stomach. There is activation of pancreatic enzymes. In acute pancreatitis, this process is started earlier, that is, in the gland itself. Under the influence of enzymes, in particular lipase, the tissue of the organ begins to break down. Toxic effect leads to inflammation and swelling of the pancreas. If you do not help in time, pancreonecrosis develops - complete destruction of the organ tissue. This condition often ends in a fatal outcome.

The mechanism of development of chronic pancreatitis consists in the gradual replacement of normal pancreatic cells with a connective tissue. This process is called sclerosing the organ. As a result, the basic function of the pancreas is broken - the release of digestive enzymes. As a result, most of the products are not completely digested, which leads to a disorder of the stool and a worsening of the general condition of the patient.

Pancreas: signs of inflammation of the body

The first signs of inflammation of the pancreas include, as already mentioned, abdominal pain and nausea, heaviness. Often, patients turn to the doctor when the symptoms of pancreatitis are repeated for some time. Usually people notice that signs of pancreatic inflammation occur after taking certain foods or alcoholic beverages. It is with the clarification of all complaints and anamnesis of the disease that the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis begins. Symptoms of inflammation include the following symptoms:

1. Pain in the upper abdomen. Given that the pancreas occupies a large extent, discomfort can arise from both the left and right. Also, pain can be localized in the epigastric region, simulating gastritis. In some cases, the entire pancreas is inflamed. In this case, the pain is shrouded in nature.
2. Nausea. It can occur after a bias in the diet or be present all the time.
3. Multiple vomiting. Unlike gastric ulcer, this symptom does not lead to relief.
4. Changing the nature of the chair. Feces can be released in large quantities, have a foamy consistency and particles of undigested food. Sometimes there is severe diarrhea, and more rarely - constipation.
5. Raise body temperature. This symptom is not always expressed, therefore, against a background of dyspepsia, it is rarely noticed. A severe fever is characteristic of acute pancreatitis.
6. Strengthening of peristalsis, feeling of "raspiraniya" in the abdomen.

With a long-term inflammatory process, compression of the bile ducts can occur. The symptoms remain the same. In addition, itching itch and icteric syndrome.

Physical examination for signs of inflammation of the pancreas

What are the signs of inflammation of the pancreas during examination? First of all, the doctor pays attention to the deterioration of the general condition of the patient. The patient is most often excited, covered with sweat, pale. In acute pancreatitis, there may be a drop in blood pressure, pronounced tachycardia, increased respiration. If you suspect a pancreatic inflammation, palpation of the abdomen is performed. For this purpose, the patient is laid on his back and asked to bend his knees. Even a superficial touch to the abdominal wall can cause unpleasant sensations. Palpatory signs of pancreatic inflammation in adults are easier to identify. After all, the patient can indicate a specific localization of pain. Unpleasant sensations are noted at the points of projection of the pancreas. These include the zone of Shoffar and Gubergritsa-Skulsky. The first is a triangle bounded by 3 lines. One of them is drawn from the navel to the right and upwards at an angle equal to 45 degrees. The second is the middle line of the body. The third connects the two previous points, it is held 6 cm above the umbilical ring. The Gubergritsa-Skulsky zone corresponds to the Shoffar triangle, but is located on the left side of the abdomen.

To establish the area of the pancreas, three points are distinguished. Due to this, it is determined in which part of the body inflammation is localized. Among them:

1. The Mayo - Robson point. It can be determined by drawing a line from the navel to the left costal arch. If you divide this segment into 3 parts, then the Mayo-Robson point will be located on the border of the middle and upper third. This is the projection of the tail of the pancreas.
2. The point of Desjardins. It is determined by carrying out a line connecting the navel and the right axillary cavity. The point is located on a segment of 5-7 cm. Here is the head of the pancreas.
3. Point Kacha. It is located 4-7 cm above the navel along the outer edge of the left rectus abdominis. Soreness at this point means that the inflammation is localized between the tail and the body of the pancreas.

In addition, signs of pancreatitis include changing the surface of the tongue. It is covered with a white or yellowish coating, it may be slightly dry.

Laboratory signs of pancreatitis

Laboratory signs of inflammation of the pancreas make it possible to diagnose pancreatitis. These include changes in the biochemical analysis of blood, coprogram, OAK. The presence of inflammation is indicated by an increase in the level of diastase, an enzyme that is determined in the urine. The normal level is 16-64 units. In the UAC, leukocytosis and acceleration of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are noted. A biochemical blood test reveals an increased level of activity of pancreatic enzymes. These include amylase and lipase. Of great importance is the study of stool. Exercises are excreted in large amounts (polyphecal), contain the remains of food, can have a greasy shine. The analysis of feces is called coproscopy. This study makes it possible to identify such laboratory signs as:

1. Steatorrhea. This term means increasing fatty acids in feces.
2. Creatorrhea is an admixture of muscle fibers in the feces.

These signs of inflammation of the pancreas indicate a violation of digestion of food. Often they are observed in chronic pancreatitis.

Determine the signs of the inflammatory process in the pancreas by instrumental means

To reveal the inflammatory process in the pancreas, a number of instrumental examinations are carried out. The main diagnostic procedure is ultrasound of the abdominal cavity organs. This study reveals an increase in the size of the pancreas and changes in its echosomal density. The tissue structure can be non-uniform. The walls of the body are thickened due to swelling - one of the symptoms of inflammation.

In addition to ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, FGDS is performed. This study is necessary to eliminate diseases of the stomach and duodenum. In some cases, computed tomography is performed. If suspected of acute pancreatitis, an ECG should be removed. After all, this disease is differentiated from myocardial infarction. Sometimes an emergency diagnostic laparoscopy is indicated.

If signs of pancreatic inflammation develop in a woman, it is necessary to perform a number of other studies. In some cases, the clinical picture of acute pancreatitis may resemble the symptoms of peritonitis. The causes of inflammation of the peritoneum in women are acute gynecological pathologies (ectopic pregnancy, rupture of the ovary, torsion of the foot of the tumor). Therefore, it is required to perform ultrasound of the pelvic organs.

Combination of cholecystitis and pancreatitis: signs

Symptoms of inflammation of the gallbladder and pancreas often combine with each other. This is due to the fact that these organs are in constant interrelation. At the same time, a diagnosis of "cholestopancreatitis" is made. The signs of inflammation do not differ from the symptoms of the pancreas. But other clinical manifestations are added to them. Among them:

1. Pain in the right hypochondrium.
2. Bitterness in the mouth and eructation.
3. Vomiting of bile.

In the physical examination, pain is noted when pressure is applied in the projection of the gallbladder (Kehr's symptom). Also, unpleasant sensations are accompanied by an effleurage along the costal arch on the right. Thus, the Ortner-Grekov symptom is checked. Another sign of inflammation of the gallbladder is painfulness when pressing between the fibers of the sternum-mastoid muscle.

How to recognize pancreatitis in children?

The signs of pancreatic inflammation in children do not differ from those in adults. Nevertheless, it is more difficult to diagnose pancreatitis at an early age. In addition to the presence of these symptoms, the child becomes capricious, refuses to eat. In young children, sleep is disturbed, body temperature can be above 38 degrees, diarrhea is often noted. To diagnose inflammation, perform ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, laboratory studies. Palpation is not carried out for young children.

Inflammation of the pancreas: signs and treatment of pathology

Treatment of acute pancreatitis often comes down to surgical intervention. In chronic inflammation, drug therapy is indicated. It is prescribed according to the available signs of pancreatitis. Treatment includes:

1. Anesthesia. Apply the drug "Ketonal", "Analgin". With a pronounced pain syndrome, the medication is Promedol.
2. Substitution therapy with enzyme preparations. It is prescribed to ensure normal digestion of food. Apply medication "Pancreatin", "Creon", "Festal".

Diet for signs of inflammation of the pancreas

To avoid repeated exacerbations, you must follow a diet. In the early days with acute pancreatitis, hunger is shown. After 3-5 days a special diet is prescribed - table number 5. If the inflammation is chronic, it is necessary to exclude from the diet alcohol, fried and spicy food, animal fats. The food should be cooked for a couple, in the oven or cooked. Compliance with diet is an important part of the treatment of pancreatitis.