The main problem arising in the development of pancreatitis in the elderly is that this ailment is often exacerbated and leads to additional serious complications. What are the age features of the pancreas, and what is important to consider when treating pancreatitis?
Often, the difficulty lies in the fact that in older people, as a rule, in addition to pancreatitis, there are several other equally dangerous diseases in the anamnesis, and therefore it is not so easy to choose the appropriate treatment that will simultaneously regulate the pancreas, and intoo, time will not create an additional burden on other organs.
It is important to understand that the body in the elderly also has some age characteristics. So, the pancreas works with much less intensity and at least two, and even three times slower and weaker, than at a younger age. That is why it is much more difficult to combat such a disease than in adolescence, and to achieve the desired result, it will take a lot of effort and pass a long course of drug treatment for pancreatitis.
There are some difficulties in the appointment of suitable drugs, because for people in old age there are many limitations and contraindications, which can not be ignored. In addition, often, in the treatment of such a pancreatic disease as pancreatitis, the key point is precisely prolonged fasting, which, due to certain age characteristics, is strictly forbidden to people who are elderly. Therefore, in order to cure pancreatitis and not cause serious harm to one's own organism, it is best to adhere to limited food intake, but not more than 3 days. The process should be under constant monitoring by a physician, and the lack of fluid in this case is compensated for by means of intravenous IVs. For this reason, the treatment of pancreatitis in the elderly, due to their age, requires mandatory hospitalization.
In the elderly, the pancreas ceases to work with the same intensity as in youth, and therefore it is so important to adhere to proper nutrition and observe the appropriate diet. If pancreatitis occurs, urgent hospitalization will be required, since the treatment process takes place only in a hospital setting. After discharge, it is important to continue to follow the prescribed recommendations, since the likelihood of recurrence of exacerbation of the pancreas in the elderly is very high.
Chronic pancreatitis in the elderly
With pancreatic inflammation in the elderly, there are some difficulties in prescribing adequate treatment, since there are serious limitations. Most often, doctors recommend a three-day fasting for the physical rest of the gland. During fasting, even liquid is not taken, it is administered intravenously. Such an exercise reduces secretions( gastric and pancreatic secretions) and treats chronic pancreatitis in the elderly.
As the three-day fasting provokes the emergence of rapid weakness, then intensive cardinal therapy is prescribed. All this is done only in a stationary department. After discharge, the treatment is the same as for everyone: diet, a lot of fluid, a healthy lifestyle.
If there is a deterioration in the release of enzymatic function and glucocorticides, older people are contraindicated in taking cytostatics. They, as a rule, are diagnosed with a latent form of the disease. First there is diarrhea, flatulence, a person begins to lose weight. With severe attacks, food is immediately ruled out and an ambulance is called. Chronic pancreatitis in them often occurs in the form of pancreatic necrosis.