Symptoms of pancreatic disease. Pain in the pancreas. Medical treatment. How to deal with acute pain

Pain in the epigastric region often worries people. For some, it is mild and resolves in a few minutes, while for others, the symptoms may last longer and be more severe, disrupting daily life.

What could be the causes of epigastric pain?

There are many causes of epigastric pain. The most common are the following:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
• Gastritis, stomach ulcer or duodenum.
• Diseases of the gallbladder.
• Diseases of the pancreas.
• Dissecting aortic aneurysm.

What is the pancreas?

The pancreas is an external and internal secretion located deep in the abdomen. The tail of the pancreas is located between the stomach and the spine, and its head is next to the duodenum. It plays an important role in digestion and blood sugar control.

Why does the pancreas hurt?

Pain in the pancreas may occur with various diseases, the most common of which are acute and chronic pancreatitis. Less commonly, they may be caused by:

• dysfunction of the sphincter of Oddi;
• hereditary pancreatitis;
• pancreatic cancer;
• exocrine pancreatic insufficiency;
• cysts or pseudocysts of the pancreas;
• congenital pathology.

Acute pancreatitis

This disease causes sudden intense pain in the epigastric region, which often radiates to the back. Most often, acute pancreatitis is caused by gallstone disease or alcohol. Symptoms may worsen after eating. If the disease is caused by stones in the biliary tract, it develops very quickly. When the disease occurs after alcohol, its symptoms progress a little more slowly, over several days.

With epigastric pain in acute pancreatitis, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, fever, jaundice, changes in blood pressure. Often the pain syndrome is very pronounced, which makes it difficult to cough and breathe deeply. In addition to gallstone disease and alcohol consumption, acute pancreatitis can be caused by infectious process(salmonellosis, legionellosis, hepatitis B), autoimmune diseases(systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's syndrome), injuries. In 15% of cases exact reason fails to find out.

Chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is a long-term disease that leads to a permanent deterioration in the function and structure of the pancreas. It is believed that 70% of cases of this disease are caused by alcohol abuse. Pain in chronic pancreatitis can sometimes be severe and radiate to the back. It usually increases after eating. With the progression of the disease, the pain syndrome is observed more often and becomes more intense. At the same time, the production of pancreatic digestive juices worsens, from which the following symptoms appear:

• Fatty stools of unpleasant odour.
• Bloating.
• Cramps in the abdomen.
• Flatulence.

pancreatitis during pregnancy

Fortunately, acute pancreatitis in pregnant women is very rare. However, this disease increases maternal and child mortality, can lead to premature birth. In most cases, pancreatitis is caused by gallstones, alcohol use, and elevated triglyceride levels in the blood. Hormonal changes and weight gain during pregnancy increase the risk of gallstones and increase triglyceride levels in the blood.

Can a child have pancreatic pain?

Children most often develop acute form pancreatitis, the causes of which cannot be determined. Sometimes this disease can be caused viral infection, injury, admission medicines or cystic fibrosis. Chronic pancreatitis is rare in children. The most common causes are trauma and hereditary factors.

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction

The sphincter of Oddi controls the flow of bile and pancreatic juice into the small intestine. Violation of its function can lead to pancreatic pathology and pain in it.

Pancreas cancer

Pain is very frequent sign malignant neoplasm in the pancreas, it occurs in 75% of patients with this disease. The reason for its appearance is the growth of a tumor that presses on neighboring organs and nerves. Symptoms may worsen after eating or lying down. Other symptoms of pancreatic cancer:

• Loss of appetite.
• Weight loss.
• Jaundice.
• Indigestion and indigestion.
• Nausea and vomiting
• Strong fatigue.

Cysts of the pancreas

Pancreatic cysts are accumulations of fluid outside of the normal pancreatic ducts. If the cyst is large, it may cause pain syndrome.

hereditary pancreatitis

In some cases, pancreatitis is associated with genetic abnormalities in the pancreas or intestines. The most common cause of this condition is cystic fibrosis. The disease is characterized by chronic pain, diarrhea, exhaustion, or diabetes.

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Diet for diseases of the pancreas

The pancreas is involved in digestion. This means that with its pathology, patients have difficulty digesting many foods. If the pancreas hurts, many patients often experience a decrease in appetite and cannot eat at all. Even if the patient feels well, he still needs to be careful and know what to eat and what not. It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that it is better to eat food in small portions several times a day.

The amount of fat a person should consume depends on their height and weight, but it is considered that they should not consume more than 20 grams per day. One serving of food should not contain more than 10 g of fat. It is allowed to eat lean chicken and fish, it is better to cook food without oil.

If a person has a pathology of the pancreas, he needs to forget about alcohol forever. Dehydration can lead to aggravation of diseases, so it is very important to maintain water balance.

In some cases, it is better to let the pancreas rest and limit food intake. The doctor may prescribe fasting for 1 to 2 days during an exacerbation of the disease, and then a diet consisting of clear liquids(apple, cranberry, white grape juice, gelatin and broth). Of course, such a diet cannot provide the body nutrients, therefore, it must be expanded after the permission of the doctor.

Treatment of pain in the pancreas

Any treatment should be carried out taking into account the cause of the disease.
When acute pancreatitis therapy is aimed at eliminating pain, nausea and vomiting, and combating dehydration. If there are complications, it may be necessary surgical intervention or the use of antibiotics. In chronic pancreatitis, the patient, in addition to dieting and avoiding alcohol, may need to take painkillers and pills that contain pancreatic enzymes.

It should be remembered that no medicine will be effective if the patient does not follow a diet and has not stopped drinking alcohol.

The pancreas plays a very important role in the body, it is an organ endocrine system, which is responsible for the production of pancreatic juice. This substance is essential for normal process digestion.

But very often, due to various factors, there is a disorder in the work of the gland, which entails serious consequences. At the same time, a sharp pain is felt in the left side under the rib. Treatment should be started immediately, after the first signs appear, otherwise they threaten serious complications.

Why does the pancreas hurt and how to quickly relieve symptoms?

What is the pancreas and what functions does it perform?

The pancreas is located behind the stomach, has a three-part shape: head, body, tail. In its structure, it acts as an alveolar-tubular formation.

Each part of the organ has ducts that join into one and enter the duodenum.

Pancreatic juice, which is produced in the gland, is filled with enzymes that are necessary for the digestion of food, especially for splitting organic compounds. In addition, it immediately produces insulin and glucagon, substances that enter directly into the bloodstream, they are necessary for normal metabolism in the body.

The processes that occur in the gland are simply necessary for normal functioning the whole organism. Therefore, any violation in its work requires intervention. Treatment is prescribed only after all the symptoms are analyzed and the causes are established.

Why does the pancreas hurt?

When the stomach hurts in the left side, most often it signals a disorder of the pancreas. Its work is influenced by a lot of factors, both from the internal and from the external world.

These are the main reasons that can cause pain in the pancreas. However, the symptoms are very similar to other diseases. internal organs, therefore, treatment is prescribed exclusively by a doctor. What to do if characteristic signs appear?

Treatment of the pancreas

Therapy differs, depending on the stage of pancreatic dysfunction. On the early stages treatment at home is possible, but with the help of drugs. First you need to limit the influence of the factor that caused the pain. For example, stop taking alcoholic drinks, there is fatty meals, smoking, etc. And only after that take medications.

For early therapy, there are generic drugs to eliminate symptomatic pain in the pancreas.

The most popular of them are the following:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs, they reduce inflammatory process, relieve swelling ( "Paracetamol");
• Antispasmodics, relieve muscle tension, normalize the outflow of pancreatic juice ( "No-shpa", "Drotaverin");
• Prokinetics are used in case of development of intestinal peristalsis ( "Metoclopramide");
• Drugs that relieve attacks of flatulence ( "Espumizan", "Meteospasmil").

With an exacerbation of the disease, when the pancreas hurts with great intensity, you should consult a doctor. Self-medication at home can be dangerous in such cases. When purulent formations, drugs are introduced into therapy, which reduce intoxication. Treatment in such cases involves a stationary regimen.

Treatment of the pancreas folk remedies

Can be treated at home folk remedies. Typically, this therapy is used for chronic pancreatitis.

To do this, you need to drink various decoctions:

Treatment at home does not always bring quick results. Experts recommend using this method as an additional one, in combination with medication.

Diseases of the pancreas

The spectrum of diseases of this organ is extensive, but most often it affects pancreatitis. This is a serious disease, which consists in the self-digestion of one's own tissue.

It comes in two forms:

• Spicy;
• Chronic.

The treatment of pancreatitis depends on the form, but in order to determine it, it is necessary to analyze the symptoms.

Acute pancreatitis

A very common disease that occurs in 9% of the male population and 5% of the female. With this form, it hurts a lot in upper region umbilicus and left hypochondrium. Acute pain can last from one to five days. It is caused by edema that forms on the tissues of the gland. The attack usually occurs after abundant intake food or alcohol.

In addition to pain, other symptoms are observed:

Untimely treatment can cause serious complications in the form of suppuration and tissue necrosis.

Chronic pancreatitis

This is inflammation of the pancreas, which manifests itself against the background of other diseases. digestive tract. In 60% of cases not proper treatment acute pancreatitis or its absence leads to the development chronic pancreatitis. With this form, the stomach also hurts, but the nature of the pain is wandering and radiating to the lower back. Such pain can be observed for several months.

Additional symptoms of chronic pancreatitis:

• severe flatulence;
• Possible bouts of vomiting;
• Frequent manifestations of intestinal colic, constipation;
• Decreased appetite.

It is very difficult to diagnose pancreatitis, especially at an early stage, its symptoms are very similar to diseases of other organs. Therefore, laboratory research, Ultrasound, radiography, gastroscopy.

When pain occurs in the pancreas, it is simply necessary to take action, complications can cause very serious illness. In addition, regular check-ups and consultations with a doctor will help protect against diseases such as pancreatitis and even pancreatic cancer.

This is very dangerous diseases, the consequences of which are fraught lethal outcome. The most alarming is that every year the number of cases of diseases increases.

Every year the number of patients with pancreatitis increases, and knowledge about its signs and the nature of the pain that accompanies this severe illness, will be useful for each of us. The degree of their severity will depend on the severity of the inflammatory process and the severity of damage to the tissues of the gland.

Most often, inflammation of the pancreas is provoked by alcohol intake or dietary disorders (eating fatty, excessively salty, fried or smoked foods), poisoning, stressful situations or recurrence of diseases of the digestive tract ( calculous cholecystitis, gastritis, gastroduodenitis, etc.). Pain is usually the first symptom of pancreatitis.

Why does pancreatitis cause pain?

Pain syndrome in pancreatitis is provoked by such pathological changes:

• Inflammation: a rush of blood to the tissues of the organ and their swelling;
• High blood pressure in the ducts of the gland or their obstruction;
• Ischemia (insufficient blood supply to the tissues of the gland), which causes them oxygen starvation;
• Dystrophic changes in tissues;
• Necrosis of organ lobules and tissue irritation abdominal cavity enzymes released from the gland.

The severity of certain changes in the tissues of the organ depends on the stage of the inflammatory process:

• In acute inflammation or exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis - in the tissues of the gland there is a rush of blood, swelling, dysfunction of the organ, dystrophic or necrotic changes in the tissues, leading to the ingress of enzymes into the abdominal cavity;
• In the chronic course of pancreatitis, inflammatory processes in the organ are less pronounced, damaged tissue glands are gradually replaced connective tissue, areas of calcification and cysts are formed, which compress the ducts and tissues of the gland, causing pain.

It is the nature of the lesions of the pancreatic tissues that determines the severity and location of the pain. Usually, pain occurs half an hour after eating or drinking. The severity of other symptoms of pancreatitis also depends on the extent of pathological changes.

Pain in acute pancreatitis

The first attack of pancreatitis is always accompanied by severe pain, which, in some cases, can cause pain shock. Patients describe the nature of the pain as follows:

• Sudden;
• Intensive;
• sharp;
• penetrating;
• Permanent;
• stabbing;
• burning;
• aggravated by palpation of the abdomen, movement, deep breathing, coughing, etc.

Pains bring torment to the patient, and he tries to take forced position where they become less intense. In the supine position or in the “fetal position”, the pain sensations do not change in any way, and the patient continues to suffer, and when trying to lie on his back, they become even more pronounced. Usually the pain subsides only in a sitting position with a slight forward inclination.

Localization zone pain in acute pancreatitis depends on the site of inflammation of the pancreas:

• If the tail or body is affected - in the center of the upper abdomen or in the left hypochondrium with recoil to the back or left hypochondrium;
• If the head is damaged - in the region of the center of the upper abdomen or in the right hypochondrium;
• With the defeat of all parts of the gland - shingles character.

In some cases, pain in acute pancreatitis is located atypically - in the left side of the chest with or without recoil left hand, shoulder blade, left half of the neck or mandible. Such symptoms can be confused with a heart attack and require a detailed differential diagnosis, which can confirm the absence of angina pectoris or myocardial infarction and the presence of an inflammatory process in the tissues of the pancreas.

The patient's condition during an attack of acute pancreatitis is rapidly deteriorating, and he has the following symptoms:

• Paleness of the skin with a gray-earthy tint;
• Facial features are sharpened;
• Cold sweat;
• Expressed concern of the patient: groans, cries of pain;
• Jaundice of the sclera;
• Rapid pulse;
• Heat;
• Increase or decrease (with aggravation of the state of shock) of blood pressure;
• hiccups;
• Nausea and vomiting with bile, which does not bring relief and can be provoked even by a sip of water;
• Dyspnea;
• Yellow coating in the language;
• diarrhea or constipation;
• Bloating
• Absence bowel sounds when listening to the abdomen;
• Blueness around the navel or in the lumbar region;
• blue-green color skin in the groin area.

The severity of these symptoms of acute inflammation of the pancreas may be different, but the patient's condition worsens every minute and requires urgent medical attention. To prevent development pain shock and severe complications urgent need to call an ambulance.

In a hospital setting, the patient is comprehensively examined and provided emergency care. To confirm the diagnosis of "acute pancreatitis", it is necessary to carry out differential diagnosis with the following diseases:

• Heart disease: pericarditis, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction;
• Perforation or penetration of an ulcer of the duodenum or stomach;
• Acute obstruction intestines;
• Acute appendicitis;
• Acute cholecystitis;
• food poisoning;
• Aneurysm rupture abdominal region aorta;
• Acute thrombosis or embolism of mesenteric vessels;
• Acute thrombosis or embolism of the mesenteric vessels (intestinal infarction);
• Phlegmon of the stomach, etc.

This tactic of providing urgent medical care allows you to stop the pain syndrome and prevents the development of severe complications that can occur not only as a result of acute pancreatitis, but also with an erroneous diagnosis. With the development of pain shock, the patient is given resuscitation to get out of this difficult situation.

Pain in exacerbated and chronic pancreatitis

The severity of pain during exacerbation of pancreatitis gradually weakens from attack to attack. After the inflammatory process subsides, they gradually weaken, become dull, rarer and stop altogether.

The characteristics of pain also change. Patients describe them as follows:

• paroxysmal;
• cutting;
• Burning.

As with an attack of acute pancreatitis, the pain subsides in the patient's sitting position with a slight forward inclination. In other positions, they do not change, and when you try to lie on your back, they become more pronounced.

The pain can be localized in the same areas as in acute pancreatitis, but it can also change its location:

• Lower region chest;
• Middle or upper abdomen;
• Back area (no recoil to other parts of the body);
• Lumbar region (girdle or semi-girdle character).

During an exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis, the same symptoms are observed as in acute inflammation pancreas. Their intensity depends on the degree and extent of damage to the tissues of the organ.

After the inflammation subsides, all symptoms become less pronounced. Chronic pancreatitis can be of the following types:

• Pain - pain syndrome appears very often (especially after a violation of the diet or stress);
• Dyspeptic - the patient suffers more from digestive disorders (bloating, chronic diarrhea, emaciation), and pains appear periodically and are associated with dyspeptic disorders;
• pseudotumor - clinical picture resembles pancreatic cancer and is always accompanied by icterus of the sclera and skin;
• Asymptomatic - the disease may not manifest itself for years and the patient does not realize that pathological disorders occur in the pancreas.

Usually when chronic course pancreatitis, the patient suffers from dyspeptic disorders and feels periodic and non-intense pain, which is usually provoked by a diet or stress. In some cases, they are completely absent. With a long course of chronic pancreatitis, significant emaciation can be observed, and with necrosis of a large area of ​​the gland, diabetes mellitus develops.

Availability pain in the upper abdomen or pain in the left hypochondrium - there are signals of various diseases of the pancreas, which, in turn, plays one of the most important roles in our body. It is the pancreas that is responsible for the digestion of food, and also promotes the breakdown of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Based on this, it can be assumed that sad consequences can lead to various diseases this body if you do not start their timely treatment. In this article, we will tell you about what can cause these pain syndromes, as well as what to do if your pancreas hurts.

Immediately it is worth mentioning the following: if you regularly experience pain in the pancreas, you must definitely contact the appropriate specialist to take tests and identify a specific disease. Do not let the disease progress to its later stages, remember that in some cases this will help save your life! Do not rely on the fact that you will be able to recover by using the means traditional medicine: without the recommendations and permission of the doctor, you will only aggravate your health.

How to identify the source of pain

People who have ever been diagnosed with pancreatitis are well aware of the pain in the pancreas, and, once again experiencing such pain, they always refer to this particular disease. However, sometimes, concentrating pain in the pancreas, can talk about completely different diseases. So what can pancreatitis be confused with? Further - about this.

Any diseases of the gallbladder: biliary dyskinesia, cholelithiasis, inflammation of the gallbladder - all these diseases most often cause regular pain in the pancreas, which ultimately leads to chronic pancreatitis. For problems with gallbladder may indicate pain that occurs after taking spicy, fried and fatty foods.

Peptic ulcer of the duodenum or stomach ulcer. Since the duodenum is in close proximity to the pancreas, it is often even qualified specialist it seems difficult to figure out what really hurts you.

Availability intestinal infection. In addition to pain in the pancreas, accompanying symptoms in this case are flatulence, diarrhea and fever body.

Diseases of the pancreas

There are many diseases associated with the pancreas, however, the most common among them is acute pancreatitis, which in advanced stage develops into chronic pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis. Many factors can lead to this disease. For example, excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, as well as frequent use eating fried and fatty foods always leads to this diagnosis. Diseases digestive organs(duodenum, liver, gallbladder) can also lead to a disease such as acute pancreatitis.

Symptoms this disease the following:

worsening general condition, dizziness, palpitations;

lowering blood pressure;

bloating of the upper abdomen, diarrhea;

nausea and vomiting;

fever. With complicated pancreatitis, body temperature can rise to 39 degrees.

2. Chronic pancreatitis. This form disease may be the result of acute pancreatitis not detected in time, chronic cholecystitis and gallstone disease. Violations immune system, as well as excessive consumption of alcohol and fatty foods also leads to chronic pancreatitis. If no measures are taken regarding the treatment of this disease, then as a result, diseases such as jaundice, diabetes mellitus, and so on can occur. The symptoms of chronic pancreatitis are as follows:

constantly changing constipation and diarrhea;

increased gas formation;

the appearance of intestinal colic;

regular bloating;

nausea and vomiting;

pain radiating to the left and right hypochondrium.

3. Pancreatic cancer. This disease is much less common, however, completely exclude it, as possible cause pain in the pancreas, it is impossible. Surprisingly, but true: according to statistics, this disease is more inherent in the male half of the population. As a rule, this oncology is diagnosed in the later stages.

To date, the reasons why a person develops pancreatic cancer have not been fully studied, however, there are a number of factors that can initiate this disease:

chronic diseases - cysts, diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis;

alcohol and smoking abuse;

excessive consumption of fatty, fried and spicy foods.

Symptoms of pancreatic cancer:

deterioration of the general condition: weakness, apathy;

weight loss, sudden weight loss. Lack of appetite;

jaundice may appear;

skin acquires greenish tint, itchy and flaky.

Causes of pain in the pancreas

There are a number of factors that lead to the appearance of pain in the pancreas. And the more often these factors appear in your life, the higher the risk of “acquiring” a disease becomes. Below is a list of things that can irritate your pancreas.

Abundant consumption of fatty, spicy and fried foods. Eating such food in the evening and at night has a particularly negative effect on the pancreas.

Frequent drinking, smoking.

Overweight.

Metabolic disorders in the body.

Long-term use medicines: antibiotics (tetracycline) and hormones (estrogens and corticosteroids).

The presence of autoimmune diseases.

Any diseases of the digestive tract.

What to do if the pancreas hurts

As we have already said, with regular pain in the pancreas, it is necessary to without fail contact the appropriate specialists - a gastroenterologist or a surgeon, because it is impossible to cope with the problem on your own. However, in order to temporarily alleviate the torment experienced, you can resort to taking the following drugs:

Espumizan, meteospazmil, simethicone - these drugs will help eliminate flatulence;

No-shpa, drotaverine - these antispasmodics will help get rid of the pain syndrome, and also help to relax the muscles of the pancreatic ducts, which, in turn, normalizes the outflow of pancreatic juice;

Paracetamol. Taking paracetamol helps to eliminate pain, and also facilitates the course of the inflammatory process in the body.

However, what if the pain is sudden and too severe? In this situation, you must immediately call ambulance. By the way, taking any painkillers is not recommended, as this will prevent the specialist from determining the location of the pain. To relieve pain before the arrival of the doctor, it is recommended to lie down and on sore spot apply ice - it will help reduce the activity of the pancreas. Also, before the arrival of the ambulance, it is recommended to completely refuse to take any food; best option– drink only mineral water.

Proper nutrition is the key to health

For those who are constantly worried about pain in the pancreas, it is necessary not only to follow all the recommendations of the attending physician, but also to adhere to a certain diet - this will greatly contribute to your speedy recovery. The following is a list of prohibited foods:

fried, greasy and spicy food strictly prohibited;

cocoa, coffee, chocolate;

butter and vegetable oil;

any carbonated drinks, except for carbonated mineral water;

sausages and various canned food;

fast food and dishes fast food: vermicelli, puree.

The pancreas is an organ that performs a number of essential functions in the human body. It produces enzymes that are part of digestive juice and are involved in the processes of digestion, as well as hormones. At various diseases the pancreas disrupts food digestion, breakdown and absorption necessary for the body substances that are accompanied certain symptoms, many of which are not specific, especially in the early stages of the disease. Based on complaints, the doctor may suspect the patient has a pathology of this organ, but to clarify the diagnosis, it is imperative to undergo an examination.

Signs of diseases of the pancreas

The main symptoms that may indicate a pathology of the pancreas are pain and dyspeptic (indigestion).

Pain is usually located in epigastric region, may radiate to the left hypochondrium, left shoulder blade, lower back, acute process the pain syndrome takes on a girdle character. The pain appears or intensifies after a heavy meal, especially fatty, spicy or fried, alcohol. Local cold helps to relieve pain, sometimes patients to reduce discomfort take a forced position (lying on their side with knees drawn to the stomach or sitting, bending forward).

Digestive disorders are manifested in the form of heaviness in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting that appear after eating, patients may also experience bloating,. Sometimes patients themselves pay attention to the fact that the stool has become mushy, frequent (up to 4-5 times a day), greasy, poorly washed off, and becomes gray.

As the disease progresses, the metabolic processes, patients lose body weight, appetite worsens. Due to vitamin deficiency, the skin of patients becomes dry, vision may be impaired, and other conditions associated with hypovitaminosis may develop.

The symptoms described above can occur with acute and chronic pancreatitis, tumors of the pancreas, the formation of cysts or stones of a significant size in it. However, similar signs may indicate diseases of the intestines, gallbladder and other organs. digestive system. And in some cases, due to the irradiation of the pain syndrome in lumbar region, lower divisions abdomen or shoulder blade, the doctor may take an acute pathology of the pancreas for, or. That is why examination is necessary to verify the diagnosis.

Do not also forget about intrasecretory function pancreas, in violation of which the production of hormones that are directly involved in carbohydrate metabolism. In violation of the production of insulin and other hormones by this body, the patient will experience signs of diabetes. To early symptoms of this disease include daily diuresis may exceed 2-3 liters), dry mouth, dry skin and mucous membranes, increased appetite.

With the progression of the disease, such complications of the disease as angiopathy, nephropathy, visual impairment, etc. can develop.

Symptoms of pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis most often develops with the abuse of alcohol and its surrogates, especially against the background of an abundant intake of fatty foods, with organ injuries. At healthy people the acute form of the disease is rare, most often there is an exacerbation. The main symptom of acute pancreatitis is unbearable girdle pain in the hypochondrium, accompanied by repeated vomiting and fever. In such cases, patients need urgent health care in the hospital.

Scientists and doctors talk about the effect of alcohol on the pancreas in the program "About the most important thing."

In chronic pancreatitis, the symptoms of the disease may long time be absent or be expressed so weakly that people do not pay attention to them. There is a gradual process of replacement healthy cells organ with connective tissue, resulting in the development of pancreatic insufficiency. Patients begin to worry about aching Blunt pain, a feeling of fullness, heaviness in the left hypochondrium, arising or intensifying after eating or drinking, sometimes even in small quantities.

The disease can proceed with alternating periods of exacerbation and remission, during an exacerbation, symptoms characteristic of acute pancreatitis occur. Arise and dyspeptic disorders. Often in patients with chronic pancreatitis, impaired glucose tolerance is observed.

Symptoms of pancreatic cancer

Unfortunately, in recent decades, the number of patients suffering from oncological pathologies of this organ has increased. Tumors can develop from pancreatic cells responsible for its exocrine (enzymatic) function, and can also be hormonally active, developing from special cells.

Symptoms of pancreatic cancer most often resemble signs of pancreatitis, but depending on the location of the tumor, there may be other manifestations. When the tumor grows, squeezing the common bile duct, resulting in one of the first signs of the disease in patients is jaundice. If a tumor occurs in the body or tail of an organ, symptoms of a rapidly progressing tumor may come to the fore.

Cysts and stones of the pancreas

A pancreatic cyst is a capsule in which the accumulation of fluid is determined. Cysts can be localized in any part of the organ, symptoms usually appear when they reach large sizes, begin to displace or squeeze nearby organs. Patients may experience pain in the upper abdomen, digestive disorders, weight loss. These symptoms are completely non-specific, and examination is required to identify their cause. Treatment in most cases is performed surgically.

The formation of stones in the pancreas is rare, this pathology can develop independently as a result of the deposition of salts in the tissues of the organ, or as a result of previous or concomitant diseases of the pancreas (although today the causes of the formation of stones in this organ are not completely clear). Most often, stones are found in the head of the organ, in most cases they are an accidental finding during the study of internal organs for another reason.

Symptoms of the presence of stones in the pancreatic parenchyma may be pain in the upper abdomen, radiating to the back, sometimes it is paroxysmal in nature, intensifying some time after eating. The stone may move into the common bile duct, resulting in signs of mechanical. Surgery applies in case severe course disease accompanied by frequent pain attacks and digestive disorders.

Diagnosis of diseases of the pancreas

If signs characteristic of pancreatic diseases appear, it is necessary to contact a general practitioner or a gastroenterologist, who, if necessary, can be referred for a consultation with other specialists (endocrinologist, surgeon, etc.).

After inspection and installation preliminary diagnosis the doctor will refer the patient for laboratory and instrumental studies. To confirm the diagnosis, urine and blood tests (clinical and biochemical) are necessary; indirectly, deviations in the results of stool tests may indicate the presence of pancreatic diseases. One of the most informative methods diagnosis of pathologies of this organ is ultrasound procedure, during which the doctor can determine the size of the organ, assess the condition of the parenchyma, detect cysts, stones or neoplasms in it. The doctor can suspect pancreatitis based on the results X-ray studies abdominal organs and FGDS.

In difficult cases, for the diagnosis of diseases of the pancreas, the patient may be recommended computed and magnetic resonance imaging, as well as a biopsy of the tissues of the organ.

Do not engage in self-diagnosis and self-treatment if you suspect a pathology of the pancreas should not be. The same symptoms can indicate both pancreatitis and the presence of an organ tumor, and the sooner the diagnosis is established and the correct treatment is prescribed, the better the prognosis of the disease. AT advanced cases as a result of chronic pancreatitis may develop serious illnesses digestive system, kidneys, heart. Acute pathologies if left untreated, can lead to pancreatic tissue necrosis and death.