Pancreatitis in the elderly: what is it, causes, symptoms, treatment, forms, diagnosis, diet

Pancreatitis in the elderly is difficult to diagnose and difficult to tolerate. The development of the disease is associated with a genetic predisposition, the lifestyle that a person led.

Age-related organ transformation

After 40 years, the pancreas begins to change its structure, and after 55 these changes become very noticeable. Over the years, irreversible processes occur in the human body, which affects the state of the organ. It decreases in size, synthesizes less hormones and enzymes.

This can lead to disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, the development of pancreatitis in the elderly. The complexity of diagnosis is associated with the presence of concomitant pathologies.

Illness in people in old age

In older people, the cause of the development pancreatitis can become:

• stones that form in the gallbladder;
• the use of certain medications;
• alcohol abuse, fatty foods.

Acute form

Acute pancreatitis in older people it is more often diagnosed in women aged 60-70 years. Its development can be provoked by:

• stress;
• age-related changes in the organ itself and blood vessels;
• trauma;
• concomitant pathologies of the digestive system, in particular the gallbladder;
• some viral and bacterial infections;
• the use of large amounts of fatty and spicy, alcohol.

Acute inflammatory process is associated with sclerotic lesions of the walls of the pancreatic ducts. Because of this, the production, movement of enzymes is disrupted, and cystic degeneration of organ tissues occurs.

Dangerous for the elderly gallstones. They lead to stagnant processes, disruption of the movement of pancreatic juice. After 60 years, dyskinesia of the bile ducts is often diagnosed, which leads to the throwing of bile into the fistulous passages.

Acute pancreatitis also occurs due to deterioration of the organ's blood circulation. With age, people experience a violation of blood clotting, the formation of blood clots.

More often in the elderly, an acute hemorrhagic form of the disease is revealed, which is characterized by edema and tissue necrosis. The patient complains of discomfort in the upper abdomen. Such pains can be of a girdle nature, radiate behind the sternum or in the back. Possible:

• vomit;
• lowering body temperature;
• shallow shortness of breath;
• yellowing of the eye sclera;
• lowering blood pressure and arrhythmia.

Chronic form

Chronic pancreatitis in the elderly develops against the background of:

• pathologies of the gallbladder;
• atrophy or malfunction of the small intestine;
• age-related depletion of the gastric mucosa.

Chronic pancreatitis is diagnosed less often than acute and is associated with a prolonged inflammatory process in the pancreas. But its course is progressive and long.

With each new attack, cells die off in the organ, they are replaced by connective tissue. Because of this, the pancreas cannot fully perform its functions, which leads to an even greater progression of the disease.

Diagnostic methods

If you experience any symptoms of the disease, you should consult a gastroenterologist. This doctor is involved in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatitis. The signs of many pathologies of the digestive system are similar. Therefore, in addition to an external examination, the doctor will prescribe analysis blood, urine and feces. Other types of surveys can also be carried out.

Treatment features

Treatment of pancreatitis in the elderly is carried out in a stationary setting. To prevent dehydration and intoxication of the body, the doctor will prescribe intravenous infusions of sodium chloride with glucose. Intravenous administration of No-shpa and Novocaine helps to relieve pain syndrome.

Patients with chronic pathology are prescribed drugs containing enzymes similar to those produced by the pancreas:

• Pancreatin;
• Creon;
• Panzinorm;
• Festal.

In addition to taking medication, it is important to stick to your diet. You need to start it with "hungry days». For 2-4 days, the patient is not recommended to eat. After that, it is allowed to:

• mashed vegetable puree;
• boiled meat puree;
• slimy soups;
• steamed protein omelet;
• rosehip broth.

You need to start with the minimum portions, gradually increasing them. A week later, the menu is expanded with boiled fishes and meat.

Nutrition in the treatment of pancreatitis in the elderly should be fractional. It is recommended to eat 3-5 times a day at regular intervals, in small portions. Food should be warm. Fried, spicy, fatty, as well as smoking and alcohol should be excluded.

Additionally, older people are advised to use traditional medicine for the treatment and prevention of pancreatitis. The inflammatory process can be removed:

• oatmeal jelly;
• freshly squeezed potato juice;
• decoctions of herbs that have a choleretic, antispasmodic and tonic effect (calendula, chamomile, yarrow, cumin).

Pancreatitis in the elderly is a serious and dangerous disease that can be fatal. To avoid this, you must consult a doctor if any symptoms of pathology appear.

Have you experienced pancreatitis? How did you treat him, share in the comments. Bookmark the article, repost it on social networks.

We also recommend watching selected videos on our topic.

Pancreatitis: chronic and acute. How to prevent and how to live with this disease?

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Sources:

• https://pansionat-osen.ru/poleznye-materialy/pankreatit-u-pozhilyh
• https://blondinka.net/zhenskoe-zdorove/pankreatit-u-pozhilyh-lyudey-osobennosti-techeniya-zabolevaniya.html#i-39
• https://noalone.ru/infocentr/zdorove/pankreatit-u-pozhilykh-lyudey