Acute pancreatitis: symptoms and treatment

Doctors call acute inflammation of the pancreas acute pancreatitis. This is a serious pathology, the development of which can be fatal.

In order to prevent this, it is important to start the process of relieving her symptoms in a timely manner. Symptoms and treatment of pancreatitis depend on the stage of its course.

What is this pathology? How is acute pancreatitis treated? By the manifestation of what signs is it characterized and why does it arise?

In this material, we will try to answer all these questions in as much detail as possible.

General information about the disease

A powerful inflammatory reaction of the tissue surface of the pancreas is the trigger for pancreatitis.

The provocative factor of this phenomenon is the impaired production of enzymes in the body, which, due to the development of pathology, have an aggressive effect on the digestive organs.

What is this process? If, during the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, enzymes are produced in the duodenum, then in acute pancreatitis, the pancreas is responsible for their production.

As a result, this organ increases significantly in size, which provokes its disrupted work.

As acute pancreatitis develops, the pancreas begins to independently digest its own tissue surface.

This leads not only to enlargement of the organ, but also to its edema.

Important! Death due to the development of acute pancreatitis occurs due to necrosis of cellular pathological areas, that is, the totality of dead cells of the pancreas. Therefore, when the first signs of pancreatitis appear, it is important not to hesitate to go to the hospital, but to start treatment as soon as possible. Timely diagnosis is the key to recovery.

As for the secondary attachment of infection in this type of disease, the field of cell necrosis does not occur.

As the disease progresses, the person who was diagnosed with it is faced with fatty degeneration.

When the number of dead cells exceeds the norm, favorable conditions for purulent inflammation are created on the body of the organ. As a result, purulent intoxication of the body occurs.

Patients tolerate it very hard. Constant torment, stomach pain and nausea are the main companions of purulent intoxication of the body.

To get rid of the manifestation of this symptom of pancreatitis, you will need regular medication.

Otherwise, the consequences can be the most dire. Depending on the form of severity, doctors distinguish 2 types of pathology: mild and severe.

Let's consider each of them.

• Light form. Interstitial edema of the pancreas is observed. Weakly expressed. Symptoms of pancreatitis can be stopped by taking medication. Such therapy corrects the patient's well-being. With the timely adoption of therapeutic measures, in 100% of cases, the prognosis of therapy is favorable.
• Severe form. It is characterized by an exacerbation of the disease. The clinical signs of pancreatitis are pronounced. The patient suffers from severe stomach pain, nausea, and other unpleasant symptoms. Also, a severe form of pancreatitis is characterized by an abscess with purulent contents. Tissue necrosis is irreversible. In almost 100% of cases, the patient who was diagnosed with this dies.

Before we look at how to treat acute pancreatitis, it is necessary to talk about the symptoms that it is characterized by.

Symptoms

After the negative influence of the root cause, the symptoms of acute pancreatitis make themselves felt almost immediately.

In the absence of a pronounced attack, there are no clear signs of acute pancreatitis. What provokes an attack of pathology?

Most often, these are errors in nutrition and alcohol consumption. Also, prolonged use of antibiotics can lead to a worsening of the patient's condition.

So, "interaction" with these factors provokes the strongest attack of pancreatitis. Its main features:

• Strong pain. It is characterized by duration and intensity. Pain is localized in the right or left hypochondrium, depending on the side of the injury. Also, the patient experiences discomfort in the center of the abdomen above the navel, which radiates to the ribs. It is worth noting that in women, stomach pain may be accompanied by aching sensations in the pelvic area. When a person lies down, his discomfort increases. The factor that provokes the appearance of pain in these parts of the body is tissue necrosis.
• Increased body temperature. This is caused by a necrotic process that contributes to the poisoning of the body. With severe fever, the patient's body temperature can rise to 40 degrees Celsius. This picture is due to the presence of a purulent abscess in the abdomen.
• Nausea and vomiting. These are the main signs of pancreatitis. The patient is not just sick at the time of the attack. He suffers from a violent attack of nausea. Vomiting does not bring him the desired relief (even with an empty stomach). In the patient's vomit, pieces of the stomach, mucus, and bile can be found.
• Weight loss due to lack of appetite. The manifestation of this symptom is the result of insufficient enzymatic activity in the body. The patient may have an aversion to certain foods.
• Yellowing of the eye sclera and epidermis.
• The appearance of small blue spots on the face and abdomen. This symptom manifests itself due to a violation of the microcirculation of blood in the body.

Also, all patients who are faced with this pathology develop the so-called peritoneal syndrome.

Its essence lies in the excessive tension of all muscles of the peritoneum, as well as the appearance of gastric palpation.

This clinical picture is the reason for hospitalization. All of the above signs of acute pancreatitis affect not only the deterioration of a person's health, but also his mood.

We can say that the patient who was diagnosed with this pathology loses his ability to work. Frequent pain and loss of strength throughout the body, due to lack of appetite, deprive him of the opportunity to work.

Therefore, in order to restore the normal functioning of the body, it needs treatment. However, before proceeding directly to therapy, it is necessary to establish the factor that provoked pancreatitis.

Reasons for the appearance

Various factors can cause excessive enzyme secretion, activation. Causes of acute pancreatitis:

• Alcohol abuse.
• Injury to the pancreas.
• Failure to comply with the rules of a healthy diet. We are talking about snacks "on the run", the abuse of fatty foods, the ingestion of large pieces of food in the stomach, etc.
• Pathology of the biliary tract, the progression of gallstone disease.
• Congenital pathologies of the pancreas.
• An infectious or bacterial infection of the body, for example, hepatitis. In this case, acute pancreatitis occurs as a complication of the disease.
• Improper use of certain medications. First of all, this concerns antibiotics. To prevent inflammation of the pancreas, it is necessary to strictly observe the dosage and not take antibiotics for longer than the permitted period.
• Hereditary predisposition to the disease.
• Certain genetic pathologies, such as cystic fibrosis.
• Pathology of the gastrointestinal tract.

Important! Alcohol abuse is the main cause of pancreatitis. As a factor provoking the disease, it is established in 60% of cases.

Danger of acute pancreatitis

Remember that this disease occurs in 2 forms, mild and severe. In the absence of timely treatment, pancreatitis becomes acute. In this case, the patient's life is at stake.

The patient's pancreas produces an enzyme called trypsin, which acts like snake venom. Under its influence on the body, the brain swells and renal functioning is impaired.

With advanced pancreatitis, necrosis of the tissue surface of the pancreas rapidly develops.

Dystrophy of this organ is also observed. It is safe to say that acute pancreatitis is a destructive disease, the development of which, in most cases, leads to the death of the patient.

Stopping the manifestation of the symptoms of this disease is not the end of treatment. After the acute course of the disease has been removed, fistulas, ulcers and local erosive formations appear on the organs adjacent to the pancreas.

All this provokes the appearance of the strongest pain sensations. A person constantly experiences discomfort, and the larger the ulcers reach, the stronger the pain is felt.

One of the most dangerous complications of acute pancreatitis is a malfunction of the nervous system.

This situation is fraught with increased nervousness, excitability and aggression of a person who was able to stop the inflammation of the gland.

Acute psychosis is a common occurrence resulting from previous therapy for pancreatitis. First of all, this applies to people who abuse alcohol.

Yes, alcoholics who were able to get rid of acute pancreatitis doom themselves to lifelong psychosis.

The frequent occurrence of attacks of this pathology leads to the fact that it is transformed into a chronic form.

We list the main complications of this pathology, which can make themselves felt if the diagnosis of treatment is ignored:

1. Shock lung syndrome. Due to pleural inflammation, the patient may suffocate. An attack of shortness of breath will often occur with an exacerbation of the pathology.
2. Hypovolemic shock. The inflammatory process of the tissues of the digestive organs provokes a decrease in blood volume. It is also associated with insufficient production of enzymes in the body, for which the pancreas is responsible. The result of this shock is that the internal organs do not receive the oxygen they need. Multiple organ failure occurs.
3. Liver failure. A weak manifestation of renal failure is yellowing of the skin. In a severe case, it manifests itself in the form of acute toxic hepatitis, that is, an infectious liver injury. This symptom manifests itself against the background of a reduced work of the name system. The risk of renal failure increases in those patients who have previously had pancreatitis.
4. Heart failure, tachycardia.
5. Renal failure It is associated with impaired liver function.
6. Bleeding of internal organs. It occurs due to the development of ulcers and erosive gastritis. This neoplasm affects the gastric mucosa. The appearance of erosion provokes the appearance of the strongest pain in the patient.
7. The appearance of blood clots in the blood vessels.
8. Peritonitis. The disease is characterized by inflammation of the abdominal cavity. In acute pancreatitis, peritonitis is purulent and non-infectious. A very serious complication, ignoring which will lead to death.

Diagnostic features

To begin with, remember that a gastroenterologist deals with the treatment of pancreatitis. He also diagnoses this pathology.

The implementation of a set of diagnostic measures allows the doctor to make an accurate diagnosis, after which he will proceed to therapy.

Diagnostics begins with the collection of complaints. Already from them, an experienced gastroenterologist will be able to suspect pancreatitis.

However, the patient's complaints alone are not enough to make a correct diagnosis. It is important to carry out laboratory diagnostics, as well as the main instrumental activities.

If a specialist suspects that a patient has pancreatitis, then he will measure his blood pressure. He will also try to identify a specific inflammatory process.

Thanks to this, he will appreciate the intestinal peristalsis. In some cases, it is completely absent.

The main diagnostic measures:

1. General blood analysis. The results of this analysis will allow the gastroenterologist to see typical signs of inflammation, namely an increase in the number of stab neutrophils and an acceleration of ESR.
2. Blood biochemistry. This assay will determine the activity of lipase and amylase. If a person suffers from pancreatitis, then these indicators increase significantly. It also increases the concentration of urea and glucose.
3. Analysis of urine. It is necessary for the detection of diastasis. If pancreatitis is present, there will be an increased concentration of protein in the urine.
4. Ionogram. This diagnostic activity is required to determine the level of sodium, calcium and potassium. If the concentration of all these chemical compounds drops, it is likely that the person has pancreatitis.

Nevertheless, it is impossible to accurately determine the presence of this pathology without instrumental examination.

However, this diagnosis is necessary if acute pancreatitis is suspected.

An ultrasound examination of the pancreas will help to make an accurate diagnosis for a gastroenterologist. In the ultrasound picture, you can clearly see the presence of inflammation on the tissue surface of the organ.

So, the diagnosis has been made. It's time to start treatment. How is acute pancreatitis treated? Let's figure it out.

Drug therapy

If you were previously diagnosed with such a diagnosis and you neglected medical recommendations, after which an attack of pain occurred, do not hesitate and urgently call an ambulance.

In this case, you can only be helped in a hospital. The reason is the exacerbation of the pathology. No need to naively believe that you can stop the attack yourself at home.

Remember that if the pathology has worsened, then only qualified specialists can help you.

The therapy will be chosen depending on the severity of the course of the disease, as well as on its stage.

The key to recovery is timely diagnosis. If tissue necrosis has begun, then it will be impossible to stop an attack of pain in pancreatitis.

However, do not think that in a hospital setting you will not be able to pain relief. Doctors will prescribe an intravenous injection of potent pain relievers to the patient who is in the hospital.

Important! Remember that regular medication for pancreatitis is the key to your recovery. Do not neglect medical advice regarding the use of medicines. Also, you should not prescribe yourself the dosage of the medication yourself, only your doctor can do this.

What groups of drugs are prescribed by a gastroenterologist for acute pancreatitis?

• Pain relievers. You need to take them only if there is severe discomfort that occurs in all parts of the body. By itself, pain medications are not a remedy. Their main goal is to save the patient from unbearable suffering. At the hospital, the patient will probably be prescribed Tramadol. However, if it did not come to a hospital, then a person suffering from pancreatitis can solve the problem of severe pain at home. For this, it is advisable to take Baralgin, Spazmalgon, Analgin silt No-shpu.
• Medicines that improve blood circulation. They are injected into the patient's body exclusively intravenously. For example, doctors may prescribe Hemodez.
• Antisecretory drugs that reduce enzyme production by the gland. They should be taken with acute pancreatitis first. We are talking about drugs such as Somatostotin, Kvamatel or Omeprazole. Since hydrochloric acid promotes the enzymatic activity of the pancreas, antisecretory drugs are used to neutralize the contents of the stomach.
• Preparations for relief of shock. They, like medicines that improve blood circulation, are administered intravenously.
• Medicines that stop the appearance of such complications of pancreatitis as purulent peritonitis. We are talking about broad-spectrum antibiotics, for example, Metronidazole or Ciprofloxacin.

With excess enzyme content, the patient is prescribed drugs that facilitate the export of excess enzymes from the body.

The need for surgical intervention

As medical practice shows, in 20% of patients suffering from acute pancreatitis, purulent inflammation occurs on the tissue surface of the pancreas.

When this complication occurs, there is an urgent need for surgical intervention.

A gastroenterologist should refer a patient who is faced with purulent inflammation on the tissue surface of the pancreas to a surgeon.

In this case, only this specialist can help him. So, the surgeon has appointed you an operation. Your actions?

First, get the worrying thoughts out of your head. If you are in the hospital, this is already a guarantee that the disease is not allowed to take its course.

After all the preparatory preoperative steps have been taken, the surgeon will refer you to an anesthesiologist who will give you general anesthesia.

Lung intubation should be performed. During such an operation, the surgeon will remove the necrotic tissue surface of the pancreas.

If complications of pancreatitis appear, it may be necessary to remove pieces of the stomach.

An important indicator for the operation in acute pancreatitis is a bacterial complication.

Often, due to reduced immunity against the background of purulent inflammation, the patient's body is affected by pathogenic viruses.

In this case, it will not be possible to stop the inflammatory and necrotic process with the use of antibacterial and antimicrobial medicines.

Compliance with the rules of a therapeutic diet

Without observing the rules of a therapeutic diet, you will not have to count on successful arrested symptoms of acute pancreatitis.

On the first day after surgery, the patient is forbidden to eat or drink anything. This is due to the need for complete unloading of the stomach.

In some cases, the operated person is allowed to take a few sips of water, but no more. To avoid dehydration, you need to wet your lips with cool water.

Also for this purpose, doctors recommend rinsing the mouth with herbal decoction. It is possible to establish a drinking ration only on the 2nd day after surgery.

The menu of a sick person suffering from pancreatitis should include liquid mashed porridge, boiled in water, vegetable soups and mineral water.

It is forbidden to eat spicy, smoked and fatty foods.

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