Often at a reception with a gastroenterologist, patients ask the question: "Is there a fever and chills in pancreatitis?".To which the doctor answers: "Indeed, one of the symptoms of the inflammatory process of the pancreas can be elevated or very high body temperature."
But this symptom does not always accompany pancreatitis. In most cases, if the disease proceeds in mild or moderate form, the temperature of the patient remains normal or rises several degrees to the level of the subfebrile( 37.2-37.4 °). High thermometer and chills signal to the patient that the inflammation of the pancreas is rapidly developing,passing into a heavier form with a possible purulent process.
Sometimes the thermometer can drop to a value of 35.5 °, which is a lower indicator and is regarded as a symptom of acute inflammation of the pancreas, indicating a collapse or severe dehydration of the body. Why with pancreatitis there is a different thermal reaction of the body, we will understand more in detail.
What is pancreatitis?
Acute or chronic inflammatory process in the pancreas, which is characterized by:
- edema;
- decreased the formation of digestive enzymes and hormone;
- violation of the outflow of pancreatic juice, which contains digestive enzymes. As a result, the enzymes, acting on the gland tissue, trigger the process of self-digestion, which is able to completely destroy both the tissues of the pancreatic, as well as the blood vessels and organs located side by side in the abdominal cavity. The result of which can be a bleeding, shock, inflammation of the peritoneum( peritonitis).
High temperature( 37, 38) with pancreatitis
This is a protective reaction of the body to pathogenic microorganisms and the inflammatory process in it. The mechanism of enhancement regulates the brain region responsible for thermal regulation in the body - the hypothalamus. Microbes, staphylococci and other pathogens getting into tissues cause the body to secrete the protective component interleukin, which supplies the hypothalamus with a signal about foreign "agents".The response to the incoming signal is an increase in the mechanisms of energy release, which is expressed in a chill, increased heat transfer and the absence of sweating.
A high indicator on the thermometer and chills tells us that the body accelerated the internal processes in the tissues, reinforced the regeneration of the affected cells, activated the immune system of the organism, creating favorable conditions for the death of the pathogenic microflora.
An increase in body temperature with an attack of pancreatitis is a signal from the body that an inflammatory process is taking place in it. If a chill appears and the thermometer shows above 38 °, then most likely the disease has developed into a severe form with possible peritonitis. Low temperature can serve as a symptom of pain shock( collapse), internal bleeding and dehydration, which is characterized by an acute attack of inflammation of the pancreas.
How long does it take to pancreatitis?
The temperature in pancreatitis can last 2-3 hours, if triggered as a reaction to acute pain during an attack, it can then decrease, then rise again during the day for several months with a lingering course of inflammatory processes of the pancreas. And can increase for years if the disease has acquired a chronic form and is not treated, or is treated incorrectly.
What should I do at a temperature?
If the temperature during pancreatitis is kept for several months, then a diagnosis should be made at the medical center, which will reveal the root causes. The doctor-gastroenterologist should make a special diet in which the consumption of fat, which is poorly processed in this disease, will be reduced. Treatment with mineral water with a high content of alkalis, which breaks down fat, is also shown. If the temperature is symptomatic, it can be associated with stones or sand in the pancreas, which requires targeted treatment. Patients with pancreatitis may also suffer from a lowered temperature. In this case, an increase in the amount of liquid in the diet is shown.
How and how to bring down the temperature in case of pancreatic disease?
If the symptom appears with acute pain, then you can take a tablet of analgin or another drug that removes inflammation and relieves pancreas spasms. The doctor can also knock it down by injection of an anti-inflammatory drug. With systematic treatment, the temperature of pancreatic disease can be brought down homeopathic preparations and herbal decoctions from chamomile, coltsfoot, corn stigma, mint, dog rose, etc. However, it should be remembered that pancreatitis is an inflammatory process of the pancreas, and this symptom -it is a protective reaction of the body, directed to fight the disease. Therefore, when it appears, even without acute attacks of pain, you should immediately consult a doctor.