Unfortunately, some diseases can occur without external manifestations, which makes it difficult to diagnose them in the early stages, and consequently - and hinders the effectiveness of treatment. In addition, there are a number of abnormalities that are identified in a survey caused by other causes. So, for example, with pain in the pancreas, the patient must necessarily be assigned an ultrasound examination.
The most common cause of pain is inflammation of the pancreas - pancreatitis. In this case, the study will necessarily show an increase in the organ - either total, or its individual parts, for example, only the head or only in the region of the tail. It should be noted that a general change in the size of the pancreas is a safer phenomenon than a local one. Most of the increase in the head of the pancreas( and its normal size is 18 to 26 mm, depending on the age of the patient) revealed on ultrasound indicates an exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis. This is quite an unpleasant disease, but its treatment is not a problem. The same is true for the revealed increase in the tail of the pancreas( normal sizes - 16-20 mm).
Any physician should understand that changes even during exacerbation of inflammation do not appear immediately. Between the first attack of pain and the session of ultrasound should be at least 6 hours, and sometimes more. That is why in the case of a patient who does not complain of pancreatitis-specific pains of enlargement of individual parts of the pancreas, the likelihood of having an oncological disease can not be ruled out. Most often, in pancreatitis, not only changes in size but also echostructure and contours are observed, whereas in the tumor, only an increase in the head is observed, or, depending on the localization of the tumor, an increase in the tail of the organ.
Chronic pancreatitis can provoke both simultaneous and isolated increases in parts( head, body or tail).Consequently, any change in the size of the head, body or tail of the gland is not an independent diagnosis. This is just an indication that the patient needs a more detailed examination to confirm or deny any deviation to which such manifestations are characteristic.
Causes of
Diseases To list all the main reasons for the increase or inflammation of the head and tail of the pancreas, you should write a separate article. However, speaking of the leading aspects, there are three of them:
- heredity;
- destructive processes;
- the presence of an uncomplicated, and as a consequence, untreated concomitant disease.
These causes of an increase or inflammation can occur both alone and in a complex.
Symptoms of inflammation of the head and tail of the pancreas
These indicators are diverse. In patients, they may differ, depending on the individual characteristics, type and stage of the disease. In general, the symptoms that indicate the presence of inflammation of the head and tail of the pancreas can be divided into 4 main groups.
Pain signs. They can be both pulling and cutting. Usually, such a symptom is not associated with eating and is observed for a long time, intensifying along with the progress of the disease. Most often, such feelings are noted in the vaginal space or in the region of the heart. In medicine, cases are known where the pain reaches the highest threshold, which in turn causes painful shock. As a result, there is a lethal outcome.
Dyspeptic symptoms. They include: nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, unstable stools. Especially bright these signs appear at the initial stage of inflammation of the head and tail of the pancreas.
Not less, the brightest symptom of the disease of the head of the pancreas, is considered a change in the shade of the skin. She acquires either a yellowish or pale tone. In addition, the nasolabial zone, as well as the fingers become bluish in color. This is the first sign of intoxication with specific enzymes.
Laboratory symptoms. This, above all, changes in the chemical composition of blood and urine.
Treatment of inflammation of the head and tail of the pancreas and increase in their size
Treatment of similar pathologies is a fairly long and time-consuming process. It includes many methods. The main ones are: taking specialized medications, dietary intake, physiotherapy. In a number of complex cases, the treatment of inflammation of the head or tail, or an increase in their size, is performed by surgical intervention. The detailed course of therapy depends on the specific diagnosis, course of the course of the disease, individual characteristics of the patient.