Which doctor treats the pancreas

The pancreas is one of the main human organs. Its incorrect work leads to malfunctions throughout the body. At the first symptoms of a violation of the functionality of an organ, a specialist consultation is required, but not everyone knows which doctor treats the pancreas.

Signs of dysfunction of the pancreas

The gastroenterologist deals with pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. One of the most common ailments of the pancreas is pancreatitis. The disease is an inflammatory process that leads to tissue modification. The disease is of a chronic and acute type.

Causes of pancreatitis:

• the use of potent drugs;
• trauma;
• complications after infections;
• ailments of the digestive system;
• alcohol consumption.

Common symptoms of pancreatic problems:

1. Nausea, vomiting.
2. Pain in the hypochondrium on the left.
3. Lack of appetite.
4. Bloating, flatulence.
5. Intestinal disorders.

The stage of severity of the above signs directly depends on the degree of development of the disease. Even at the initial stage of the onset of pathology, the human body will need nutrients. With a normal diet, there will be a lack of water in the skin, brittle nails, a lack of vitamins, and weight loss. In addition to pancreatitis, necrosis, diabetes mellitus, calculi in the excretory ducts, and adenocarcinoma are often diagnosed.

In acute pancreatitis, which occurs unexpectedly, there is a shingle and sharp pain that covers the back and left side of the trunk. When bending forward, the pain sensations subside slightly, but medications are ineffective for pancreatitis. Often, exacerbation of the disease is accompanied by vomiting.

Attention! A chronic ailment is characterized by a weaker pain syndrome that occurs during an exacerbation.

In the presence of necrosis, a significant amount of enzymes is released into the human body due to the death of some area of ​​the gland. The characteristic symptoms of the disease are high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, the appearance of blue spots near the navel, sides and abdomen. After the appearance of these signs, the help of a specialist is needed.

The role of the pancreas in digestion

A person does not know where the pancreas is located until signs of its pathology appear. The first symptoms for which a doctor's consultation is necessary are nausea, flatulence, girdle pain after eating. The organ is located on the left side under the stomach, so it is considered part of the digestive tract. Enzymes that are synthesized by the pancreas, after entering the duodenum, break down nutrients into trace elements. The body regulates the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates through hormones, and also synthesizes pancreatic fluid for the digestion of food.

When hormones are released and metabolic processes are stabilized, the endocrine function is involved. The pancreas produces up to 1 liter of juice per day, as well as lipases, amylases, trypsins, which contribute to the digestion of food with protein. An internal function allows the production of hormones glucagon, insulin. With the help of insulin, the human body assimilates glucose and carbohydrates.

The hormone glucagon helps protect the liver from fatty degeneration. If there are pathologies of the hormonal background of glucagon and insulin, you will need an endocrinologist's consultation. The functionality of the pancreas affects the state of the gastrointestinal tract and the entire human body.

Pancreas: the doctor's choice

Millions of people go to the hospital with diseases of the digestive system, including pathologies of the pancreas. Such diseases are well studied, so with the help of therapeutic therapy, health can be improved. At the first symptoms of ailments of the gastrointestinal tract, it is necessary to contact such specialists as therapist, endocrinologist, surgeon, gastroenterologist, oncologist.

Oncologist

A severe form of pancreatitis can lead to the appearance of neoplasms and cysts not only on the pancreas, but also on the stomach and liver. Ultrasound, ERCP, MRI, CT will help to identify the tumor. Based on the research results, the doctor will prescribe chemotherapy or surgery. This disease is difficult to treat and is often complicated by neoplasms or diabetes mellitus. Untimely admission to the hospital leads to surgical intervention and malfunctioning of the gland.

Therapist

A local doctor can be visited in case of mild diseases of the pancreas, not acute pancreatitis of a chronic type or suspicion of other diseases. Ultrasound examination and tests will help to make a diagnosis, and if necessary, a specialist will refer you to a gastroenterologist. Often, the symptoms of pancreatic diseases coincide with other ailments such as osteochondrosis, shingles, which the therapist will reveal during examination. After removing an acute attack of the disease, the therapist prescribes a change in diet and lifestyle, after which the patient is registered and periodically visits specialized specialists.

Gastroenterologist

This is the chief doctor who should definitely be consulted in case of problems with the pancreas. According to the localization of the pain syndrome, the specialist will identify which part of the organ is damaged. Increased leukocyte counts indicate an inflammatory process. To establish the correct diagnosis, the doctor prescribes a urine test, coprogram, ultrasound, MRI with contrast, x-ray. Studies will show the amount of trypases, lipases and amylases in human blood.

Gastroscopy is used to assess the stage of involvement of the stomach and duodenum in the pathological process. A high level of ESR and leukocytes indicates a disease. Cholangiopancreatography allows you to learn about uneven expansion, duct stenosis, curved passages. ERCP is used to detect neoplasms.

Depending on the patient's well-being and his illness, the gastroenterologist may prescribe a couple more diagnostics:

• a test to detect a lack of the enzyme chymotrypsin;
• stimulation with cholecystokinin and designation of enzyme activity after it;
• stimulation with secretin and measurement of iron bicarbonate release.

The above tests are performed after collecting pancreatic tests using a duodenal probe. Almost every medical institution has a gastroenterologist, although in his absence, you can go to the hospital for a consultation. It is not necessary to start diseases of the pancreas, otherwise complications cannot be avoided.

Endocrinologist

In case of problems with insulin production, the doctor prescribes therapy, which includes drugs that replace the hormone. With timely admission to the hospital, it depends on whether the patient develops diabetes mellitus as a complication. The pancreas contains cells that produce insulin, somatostatin, glucagon, which regulate glucose levels in the body.

Inflammation in the pancreas can cause cell necrosis, as a result of which diabetes mellitus and other ailments of the endocrine system develop. With an exacerbation of pancreatitis, the level of amylase and glucose in the urine increases, and not only in the blood. Further, the endocrinologist monitors the patient's condition.

Surgeon

This specialist is necessary for exacerbated pancreatitis, when the patient needs hospitalization and hospital treatment. In case of an acute attack of pancreatitis, droppers and pain relievers are prescribed to relieve unpleasant symptoms in a couple of days. The operation is performed when the stones of the organ ducts are blocked. The surgeon will be able to distinguish pancreatitis from peptic ulcer, cholecystitis, or appendicitis that have similar symptoms.

First inspection

Already at the first consultation, the doctor will be able to tell whether the pain syndrome is associated with the pancreas or not. Examination and tests will help to make the correct diagnosis, after which a specialist will prescribe a treatment for a particular disease. Ultrasound will allow you to determine the stage of organ damage and identify pathologies according to the following signs:

• enlargement of the gland in size;
• the presence of neoplasms;
• heterogeneity of echogenicity.

If a tumor is detected on ultrasound diagnostics, a person is prescribed a consultation with an oncologist. Based on the results of the examination, the doctor prescribes chemotherapy or surgery. In case of severe exacerbation and pain, the patient is sent to surgery for examination by a surgeon or resuscitator, depending on the person's condition during hospitalization.

Therapy and observation

After the main manifestations of the pancreatic disease have been eliminated, the patient is referred to a gastroenterologist. The specialist will advise a dietary diet that will help improve the patient's condition and reduce the risk of an exacerbation in the future. If the recommendations are not followed, pancreatitis will soon return, but in a more acute form.

Nutrition

A patient with a chronic form of the disease must follow a special diet. In case of exacerbation, it is necessary to refuse food for at least a couple of days. An exception is still alkaline water. Then you can eat food in small portions 5 times a day. The dietary food includes many protein products and a minimum of those that contain fats and carbohydrates. It will be useful to use warm boiled or steamed dishes.

Can	It is forbidden
Potato	Alcoholic drinks
A fish	Fresh cabbage
Oatmeal	Dairy products
Buckwheat	Bakery
Beet	Smoked meats
Hen	Fresh bread
Turkey	Meat
Carrot	Roast
Broccoli	Salty
Zucchini	Sour

It is necessary to adhere to a diet for 2 months to restore the work of the pancreas, if an attack of pancreatin appears for the first time. In the chronic form of the disease, the diet becomes lifelong.

The pancreas affects the work of the whole organism, especially the endocrine system is dependent on this organ. To avoid health problems in the future, you need to visit a doctor in a timely manner and, at the first symptoms of poor health, seek help from a specialist.

Video - Signs of pancreatic disease