Pancreatitis: main signs

People who complain of abdominal pain, cutting sensations, belching and periodic stomach upsets are often diagnosed with pancreatitis. This is a disease of the pancreas with unpleasant symptoms that requires treatment. Inaction on the part of the patient is fraught with deterioration in well-being, the development of other pathologies of the digestive tract and more.

Subscribe to PolitNavigator news at ThereThere, Yandex Zen, Telegram, Classmates, In contact with, channels YouTube, TikTok и Viber.
To subscribe to notifications in your browser, click here.

Useful: the mentioned disease cannot be ignored, since the pancreas, like other internal organs, performs a number of vital functions. It takes an active part in digestive processes and insulin production. With persistent pancreatic dysfunction, the risks of developing diabetes are too great. In addition, there is a chronic form of pancreatitis. Treatment should begin immediately, strictly following the prescriptions of specialists. The program often includes drug ‎Pancreatin‎ and other medicines. Self-medication is unacceptable, since each medication has its own indications, contraindications and side effects.

Causes of pathology

Dysfunction of the pancreas is not the root cause of pancreatitis. Its appearance is facilitated by other processes in the body and the influence of external unfavorable factors. Common root causes:

• impaired metabolism;

• acute and chronic pathologies of the duodenum, gall bladder;

• heredity;

• bad habits, especially uncontrolled alcohol consumption;

• hormonal imbalance;

• treatment with certain medications;

• infection;

• chronic overeating.

Pancreatitis is also often encountered by people who have undergone operations on the stomach and biliary tract.

Description of the symptoms of the pathology

Pancreatitis is often confused with food poisoning, but over time a person realizes that he has a completely different health problem. The state of health does not improve after taking sorbents and drugs that stop diarrhea. The symptoms of acute pancreatitis are:

• increased body temperature;

• chills and fever;

• cutting pain in the abdomen, often unpleasant dull, squeezing sensations in its upper part;

• nausea and vomiting;

• increased blood pressure;

• frequent belching;

• stomach upset;

• gas formation, bloating, discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract;

• dizziness;

• prostration.

The state of health during the acute course of the disease improves only after taking medications. The doctor determines which medications will help alleviate the condition based on the results of the examination and assessment of the clinical picture.

Patients diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis complain of pain in the upper abdomen after eating food, bowel problems, poor appetite and weight loss. The state of health worsens sharply after consuming alcoholic beverages and fatty foods, which are contraindicated for people with gastrointestinal diseases.

Which specialist should you go to if you suspect pancreatitis? You can contact a therapist or immediately make an appointment with a gastroenterologist.

What awaits the patient during diagnosis and treatment?

If pancreatitis is suspected, the patient is referred for an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity. The ultrasound specialist notes foci of inflammation, changes in the structure and size of the organ. Based on the diagnostic results, the gastroenterologist draws up a treatment program. The specialist must take into account the localization and degree of the inflammatory process, as well as the general condition of the patient.

Drug treatment is aimed at normalizing metabolism, pain relief and stabilizing the composition of gastric juice. However, with pancreatitis these measures are not enough. It is necessary to follow a diet and lead a healthy lifestyle. In the first days, fasting is recommended, then low-calorie dishes are allowed (for example, porridge with water, decoctions, pureed vegetables and fruits). Sour, spicy, fatty and sweet are prohibited. You should also forget about bad habits, especially drinking alcohol. If you follow a diet and take medications, the condition will stabilize fairly quickly.