Which doctor treats the pancreas

When discomfort in the abdomen appears, people first go to a therapist, but if he determines violation on the part of specific internal organs, examination and consultation with others may be required specialists.

It is important to understand which doctor treats the pancreas, in which cases this or that specialist will help.

Symptoms of pancreatic disorders

Before determining which doctor is treating the pancreas, it is important to understand the characteristic symptoms of organ dysfunction.

For example, a gastroenterologist is a doctor who treats all diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and the most common pathology of the pancreas is pancreatitis.

The disease is characterized by an inflammatory process that causes changes in cells and tissues, after which the organ destroys itself.

Pancreatitis comes in different forms, among which an acute phase is distinguished, which appears abruptly, but there may be a chronic stage of the disease, when the pathology develops for a long time, has periods exacerbations.

Among the main causes of pancreatitis, the main ones can be distinguished:

1. Unbalanced diet.
2. Alcohol abuse.
3. Associated diseases of the internal organs of the digestive system.
4. Trauma and other mechanical damage to the pancreas.
5. Complications after infection of the body.
6. Improper treatment and use of powerful medications.

The disease can be determined by some of the main symptoms:

1. Pain on the left side under the ribs, which appears after eating and independently of it.
2. Loss of appetite.
3. Development of nausea, in some cases, vomiting.
4. Flatulence and bloating.
5. Stool disorders.

The described symptoms manifest themselves in each person in different ways, and the degree of their severity depends on the lesion of the pancreas and the general course of the disease.

At the very beginning of the development of pathology, the body lacks nutrients, but the appetite does not disappear.

People begin to lose weight, lack vitamins and nutrients, which leads to brittle nails, hair and dry skin.

In addition to pancreatitis, calculi may appear in the pancreas, its ducts, and there are also cases of adenocarcinoma of the gland.

Many organ diseases are accompanied by pain syndrome of varying strength and nature of manifestation.

If the pain appears abruptly and acutely, then this may indicate pancreatitis. Such a symptom can be given to other parts of the body, for example, the back, shoulder blades.

With inclined movements, the symptom subsides a little, but antispasmodic drugs do not help.

In the acute form of the disease, vomiting begins, which causes a short-term improvement.

In the chronic phase, the symptoms are less pronounced, but intensify with an exacerbation of the disease.

If necrosis of the pancreas begins, then there will be an increased release of enzymes, due to the death of cells and tissues.

Necrosis can be determined by severe vomiting, fever and diarrhea. In addition, the patient develops cyanosis in the navel and on the sides of the abdominal cavity.

Even if one or more signs of disorders develop, you need to see a doctor who will diagnose and treat.

Therapist

If it is not clear which doctor is treating the pancreas, then the first step is to seek help from a therapist.

In some cases, the symptoms of the disease coincide with other pathologies, including osteochondrosis, pyelonephritis, and others. Examination by a therapist is required for chronic pancreatitis, when there are no exacerbations.

This doctor is considered universal. Initially, he will collect complaints, palpate the abdominal cavity to determine the location and severity of pain.

In addition, instrumental diagnostics may follow, for example, ultrasound is used, blood and other tests are required.

After collecting the necessary data, the therapist can accurately or approximately establish a diagnosis, tell which doctor to contact for further examination and prescribing treatment.

An enlarged gland may indicate pancreatitis and other diseases of the pancreas.

After treatment of the acute stage of the disease, patients should be examined and monitored by a therapist, from time to time they will have to be examined by narrowly focused doctors.

After being discharged from the hospital, people with pancreatitis are registered; for subsequent attacks, they may be hospitalized in a surgical or gastroenterological department.

If a tumor is determined, then an oncologist conducts therapy. In acute pancreatitis with complications, intoxication, surgeons are involved in treatment.

Gastroenterologist

Chronic pancreatitis can be treated not only by a therapist, but also by a gastroenterologist.

In addition, the last doctor deals with the acute course of the disease, it is he who will establish the type, form, stage of the disease and the presence of complications, prescribe the correct treatment and preventive measures.

A gastroenterologist is a narrowly focused doctor who deals with the organs of the digestive system, which includes the pancreas.

Such doctors are the main ones for carrying out therapy for pancreatitis. Further predictions, stages of recovery and the work of the organ depend on their qualifications and intervention.

If a patient develops a stool disorder, appetite disappears, vomiting and nausea develops, then the gastroenterologist can conduct an initial examination, which is similar to an appointment with a therapist.

After that, laboratory tests are carried out, which make it possible to estimate the amount of enzymes, and an analysis of feces and urine is carried out.

For an accurate diagnosis, the gastroenterologist uses the following diagnostic methods:

1. Gastroscopy - shows problems from the gastrointestinal tract with inflammation of the pancreas.
2. X-ray examination using contrast elements - shows the condition of the tissues of the affected organ and its ducts, which makes it possible to confirm the diagnosis.
3. Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and gland - indicates a high echogenicity in case of disease and expansion of the ducts.
4. CT and MRI - methods allow you to see the development of cysts, tissue atrophy, lumps and other malignant formations.
5. Endoscopic diagnostic methods - enable the doctor to assess the condition of the canals, tumors in them.

After a thorough diagnosis, the attending doctor determines the treatment regimen, and, if necessary, can refer the patient to other doctors.

Endocrinologist

With pancreatitis, there is a risk of developing diabetes, and the endocrinologist allows you to determine whether there will be a complication of this type, can suggest treatment, which avoids the consequences of inflammation of the pancreas glands.

In the organ itself there are cells that are responsible for the production of insulin and other substances that are needed to regulate the rate of sugar in the blood.

With pancreatitis, it is possible to affect those parts in the pancreas that are responsible for the secretion of insulin.

In addition, the inflammatory process can cause tissue necrosis, which also leads to diabetes, other pathologies that the endocrinologist deals with.

An increase in blood sugar and its appearance in urine tests indicates the onset of the development of diabetes. With an exacerbation of pathology, the rate of amylase in the urine rises.

In case of complications, an endocrinologist can prescribe treatment with hormonal drugs that can stop the development process of the latter.

In addition, it is the endocrinologist who registers a person and monitors her health in the future. In some cases, treatment may be required in a patient setting, in endocrinology.

Surgeon

In the acute form of pancreatitis, with a serious condition of a person, hospitalization is often carried out, where the help of surgeons is required in the future.

A referral to a surgeon can be ordered by a general practitioner, oncologist, or gastroenterologist. Surgical treatment is possible in cases where there is a clogging of the channels with calculi, the presence of tumors of various types or cysts.

Surgeons remove neoplasms, stones, part or all of an organ. To eliminate acute attacks, the doctor prescribes medicines that regulate the secretion of enzymes, droppers and pain relievers are prescribed.

Patients can get to surgeons on a planned basis, during the diagnosis, treatment of pancreatitis, or urgently, if there was an ambulance call, and the patient has acute pain and other characteristic signs of illness.

You can get to the surgeon if the disease is started and purulent processes appear, in which case conservative treatment will not give results, an operation must be performed.

During the operation, not only the pancreas, tumors in it can be removed, there are cases of removal of a part of the stomach.

Surgical treatment makes it possible to stop the development of the disease, but does not allow a 100% cure of pancreatitis. In the future, you need treatment, which is prescribed by the doctors described above.

Oncologist

Pancreatitis without proper treatment, the use of preventive measures leads to a number of complications, including cysts and tumors.

They develop not only in the affected organ, but also in other parts that actively take part in the digestive work.

The oncologist can assess the extent of the lesion, the types of tumor and the methods of further treatment. The patient is prescribed surgical treatment, as well as radiation or chemotherapy.

To exclude the development of pancreatitis and its complications, it is important to follow the doctor's recommendations, adhere to a proper diet, and a healthy lifestyle.

The disease is difficult to treat, and if diagnosed late, people have to live with it all their lives, so all factors that cause exacerbations should be avoided.

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