What is pancreatitis and why is it dangerous?

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Pancreatitis is a serious inflammatory disease that affects the pancreas. Inflammation begins because the stones or neoplasms of various kinds close the enzymes and gastric juice path to the intestine. As a result, the accumulated enzymes begin to digest the pancreas itself. Pancreatitis is very dangerous because enzymes can penetrate into nearby blood vessels, it can lead to disability or even death.

Number of people suffering from the diseasegrowing day by day. This is due to the fact that more and more popular are fast food outlets, where they eat excessively fatty food and fast food.

Important! Learn about the symptoms and treatment of jet pancreatitis in our article.

A special risk group is represented by people:

• who drink alcohol;
• prone to overeating, as well as lovers of fatty, fried spicy foods;
• people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Persons entering into these groups need to be attentive to themselves and when there are suspicious symptoms, it is urgent to see a doctor.

Important! The main cause of pancreatitis is malnutrition. Try to stick to a healthy diet to avoid this terrible disease.

Causes of pancreatitis

Let's consider the main causes of the disease.

1. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which interfere with the inflow of enzymes and pancreatic juice. Enzymes begin to digest iron.
2. Pregnancy. Increased in size, the uterus presses on the pancreas, which is why there is a risk of inflammation.
3. Food poisoning and alcohol intake. The toxic substances of alcohol and harmful chemical compounds from the products cause a surge of enzymes.
4. Injuries to the abdomen. Errors in operations on the pancreas, injuries and bruises of the abdomen can also cause acute inflammation.
5. The tendency to overeating. Disturbed fat metabolism in cells activates enzymes.
6. Allergy. There are forms of pancreatitis that are the result of autoaggression.
7. Infections, inflammations and purulent processes.
8. Genetic predisposition.
9. Adoption of certain medications.

Important! How to eat properly with pancreatic pancreatitis, you can find out on our website.

Important! The first signs and symptoms of pancreatitis are described in detail here.

The development of pancreatitis occurs in 2 forms: acute and chronic.

Acute form and its symptoms

Acute pancreatitis is characterized by sudden and frequent bouts of pain resembling severe poisoning. The disease detected in time is fully treatable.

In acute pancreatitis, there may be a drop in blood pressure, respiratory disorders, tachycardia.

What is the danger of acute pancreatitis? Possible occurrence of complications such as pancreatic edema, hemorrhage in the gland tissue and pancreatic necrosis. With such diagnoses, the outcome can be lethal, despite the treatment being performed. In most cases, it is just an inflammatory process that is successfully treated.

If the cause of the acute form of pancreatitis is alcohol intoxication, symptoms appear after a few hours or days.

Important! Three main components of acute pancreatitis treatment: hunger, cold and rest.

Symptoms of acute pancreatitis:

• abdominal pain in the abdomen, giving back, accompanied by loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting;
• , a red rash may appear on the skin;
• pallor of the skin;
• in some cases - intestinal paresis;
• cyanosis of the skin area in the navel;
• shock from sudden onset of attacks, with impaired consciousness;
• flatulence and stool disorders.

Important! On the treatment of pancreatitis with medications can be found on the pages of our site.

Acute pancreatitis can develop in a relapsing form, which causes an exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Important! Even with a mild attack of pancreatitis, it is urgent to call an ambulance, as the acute illness develops very quickly and can lead to unfortunate consequences. Before the doctors arrive, you can put a cold on your stomach and make an analgesic injection.

Chronic form - how dangerous

This kind of pancreatitis takes a long time without sharp pain, gradually destroying the pancreas. Instead of the dead parts of the gland, connective tissue grows, which is why the function of producing enzymes is disrupted. The lack of enzymes, in turn, causes digestive problems, such as heartburn, belching, nausea. The patient's appetite decreases, and he loses weight.

In chronic form, there is remission, followed by periods of exacerbation of pain. Especially often, painful attacks occur after eating fatty or other harmful food.

It is already impossible to cure completely the chronic form, it is necessary only to adhere to the diet in order to avoid deterioration.

Important! Learn more about the exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis in our article.

Chronic pancreatitis also occurs in several forms:

1. Asymptomatic - a long time the disease does not make itself felt.
2. Painful shape - characterized by constant pain in the upper abdomen, worsening during the period of exacerbation.
3. Recurrent - painful sensations occur only when relapsed.
4. Pseudotumoral - with this form increases the size of the gland, fibrosis spreads in many areas.

Chronic pancreatitis is dangerous because it can promote the development of diabetes, requiring constant therapy for the replacement of insulin.

Important! It's interesting to know which doctor treats pancreatitis? Read in our article.

Complications and consequences

Patients with pancreatitis can develop pancreatic edema, hemorrhage in the gland, pancreatic necrosis. On the gland foci of decay are formed, suppuration may begin. These complications can come to replace each other and lead to complete death or atrophy of the gland tissues.

1. Prolonged course of chronic pancreatitis can lead to pancreatic oncology.
2. Pancreatic dysfunction due to pancreatitis promotes the development of a patient with type I diabetes, which completely stops the production of insulin.
3. One of the worst complications of pancreatitis is peritonitis.

Important! How to treat pancreatitis at home, please click here.

Enzymes that are not split due to pancreatic dysfunction penetrate the blood, thereby causing poisoning or intoxication of the body. In this case, the brain, lungs, heart and kidneys of the patient may suffer.