Can acute and chronic pancreatitis be completely cured?

2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14

Pancreatitis is an inflammatory and degenerative process that affects the pancreas. The number of patients who come to the hospital with this diagnosis is increasing every year. Symptoms, causes and treatment of the disease directly depend on its type.

Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic. This disease cannot be ignored, as complications may arise. Is it possible to completely cure pancreatitis and get rid of the disease forever or not?

Reasons for the development of pancreatitis

Pancreatitis develops under the influence of several provoking factors. You can cure the disease by installing and eliminating them. The main reason for the development of acute and chronic pancreatitis is the abuse of alcoholic beverages.

Gallstone disease, pathological processes in the body, additional risk factors can cause inflammation of the pancreas.

A specialist can identify the specific cause of the deviations during the examination and diagnosis.

Acute pancreatitis: symptoms of the disease

The pancreas is a small but very important organ for the body. It performs functions, the main ones of which are: the secretion of food enzymes, which are necessary for the normal digestion of food, the production of insulin, the lack of which can lead to the development of diabetes mellitus. What happens during the inflammatory process in the pancreas?

Acute pancreatitis, as a rule, develops with severe intoxication of the body. In this case, enzymes begin to linger in the ducts, destroying the internal organs. Toxins, getting into the blood, cause poisoning of the body. The biggest enemies of the pancreas are alcoholic beverages and fast food.

Symptoms of the disease in the acute stage

Pain. This is the main sign by which an inflammatory process can be suspected. The pain is usually intense, constant, cutting, or dull. If you do not go to the hospital in a timely manner and do not receive medical care, painful shock may occur. Localization of pain - under the spoon in the hypochondrium on the right or left side. Sometimes the spasms can be shingles.

Increase in temperature, surges in blood pressure. The rapid development of inflammation in the body quickly worsens the patient's well-being.

Change in complexion. With pancreatitis in patients, the skin turns pale, the complexion becomes gray-earthy.

Hiccups, belching, dry mouth, nausea and vomiting. The seizures do not relieve the patient's condition. With an exacerbation of the disease, it is not recommended to take any food. Fasting is the key to a speedy recovery.

Diarrhea or constipation. Stool during exacerbation becomes foamy, often with a fetid odor. In some cases, on the contrary, constipation is observed, the cause of which is hardening of the muscles.

Dyspnea. This condition is associated with the loss of electrolytes.

Bloating. During seizures, the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract do not contract, so when palpating, you can feel the abdominal swelling.

Bluish skin color. Cyanotic spots may appear around the navel or in the lumbar region. The groin area may turn blue-green. This is due to the fact that blood from the inflamed internal organs gets under the skin.

It is worth noting that the symptoms of acute pancreatitis worsen quickly, so procrastination can cost you your life. Do not self-medicate and contact a specialist immediately.

Acute pancreatitis: treatment of the disease

The acute stage of the disease can only be cured in a hospital under the supervision of specialists. If pancreatic inflammation is suspected, immediate hospitalization is required.

Before the arrival of doctors, you can give the patient first aid: provide bed rest, apply cold to the stomach and give an antispasmodic pill, for example, "No-shpy" or "Papaverine". It is forbidden to eat.

In a hospital setting, the following treatment is prescribed:

• Puncture of a vein with a dropper with antiemetic and anesthetic saline: it can be "Metoclopramide" and "Quatamel";
• Intravenous administration of sodium chloride in the form of saline;
• Diuretic drugs relieve swelling from the pancreas and promote the elimination of enzymes and toxins from the body, such drugs include "Furosemide" and "Diacarb";
• Antispasmodics "Drotaverin" or "No-shpa";
• Pain relievers are taken for severe, persistent pain;
• Vitamins - to maintain a weakened body, the intake of vitamins B and C is indicated.

Fasting is shown to the patient for 4-5 days. It is only allowed to drink warm water without gas. In case of complications, parenteral nutrition (intravenous) is prescribed.

After removing the exacerbation, you can gradually introduce curdled milk, cottage cheese into food. Throughout the week, it is recommended to adhere to the menu recommended by table number 5. As a rule, these measures are sufficient to relieve an exacerbation.

In some cases, with an inflammatory process in the abdominal cavity, surgical intervention is indicated. Laparoscopy allows you to remove fluid from the body and cure pathology.

Chronic pancreatitis: symptoms of the disease

Chronic pancreatitis is an inflammatory process in the area of the pancreas, which leads to structural changes in the tissues of the organ. A distinctive feature of this stage is functional disorders in the body. Chronic pancreatitis develops in stages.

The first stage is the initial one. It lasts for several years and periodically aggravates and dies down. The second stage is permanent. Violations become more pronounced and bother the person constantly.

Symptoms of pathology:

• Nausea and vomiting;
• Diarrhea or constipation;
• Sudden weight loss;
• Yellowing of the skin and sclera.

All these signs accompany painful sensations. They occur immediately after a meal and can last from several minutes to a day. Localization of pain - the upper abdomen or around the lower back. In an inclined position or sitting, the spasms subside.

Consumption of fatty and fried foods, alcohol and carbonated drinks, chocolate and coffee cause painful sensations. Patients with such a diagnosis are advised to adhere to separate meals with small meals.

With a long course of the disease, the structure of the tissues of the pancreas is gradually destroyed. This leads to a reduction in the production of enzymes and hormones, as well as to the formation of secretory deficiency.

Some of the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis are similar to pancreatic cancer.

In order to exclude the presence of malignant tumors, you need to undergo a comprehensive diagnosis, including:

• Laboratory analyzes of feces and blood;
• Tests with special drugs - allow you to assess the stimulation of the pancreas;
• Ultrasound of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity;
• Computed tomography.

Chronic pancreatitis: treatment of the disease

The main therapies include:

• Compliance with a special diet that excludes fatty and spicy foods, fast food, sweet and alcoholic beverages;
• Treatment in sanatoriums;
• During attacks of pain, you can take antispasmodics such as "No-shpa", "Drotaverin", "Duspatalin", "Sparex";
• To correct the functions of the pancreas, appoint "Festal", "Pancreatin", "Creon", "Penzital".

It is worth noting that the long-term course of the disease causes problems with the production of insulin, therefore, sooner or later, it leads to diabetes mellitus.

In order not to miss the development of the disease, you need to be regularly examined by an endocrinologist.

Can pancreatitis be completely cured?

It is worth noting that getting rid of symptoms forever and forgetting about pathological processes in the pancreas can only be done by following these recommendations:

• Give up alcoholic beverages completely;
• Reduce the consumption of fatty foods to a minimum;
• Timely treat diseases associated with the gastrointestinal tract, such as gastritis.

You can get rid of seizures only in a hospital under medical supervision. A hunger diet and taking medications can relieve the inflammatory process.