In the diagnosis of acute or chronic pancreatitis for several decades several tests have been investigated, the indicators of which confirm or refute the diagnosis. The first thing that the attending physician who examines the patient with suspicion of an inflammatory process in the pancreatic gland should pay attention to is to test the indications of the amylase test.
Acute inflammation provokes an increase in amylase by 10-30 times. To detect its high content in the blood or urine can be already within six hours after the first attack, within a day it reaches a maximum mark, and already starting from the second day, subject to observance of therapy, gradually decreases, coming back to normal by 6 days. To obtain more accurate indications, it is recommended to perform daily urine analysis.
It should be noted that the level of amylase is not informative in chronic pancreatitis, in this case, the pancreas indices are investigated with respect to lipase activity( verified by serum).This diagnosis has a higher sensitivity and is an accurate confirmation of the presence of inflammation of the pancreas, which is diagnosed in the case of an increase in the level of lipase 5-10 times. Simultaneous increase in lipase and amylase in serum in 98% of cases is a consequence of acute pancreatitis.
No less important for confirming or refuting the fact of inflammation of the pancreas is determining the level of elastase. It is also important that this level remains elevated not only at the onset of the disease, but it persists for several days after the first attack( even if they did not occur afterwards).
It should be noted that these data on the r-intestinal gland are not only important for the recognition of the disease, but also play an important role in determining its type, the complexity of the course and the possible prediction of the disorder.
The pancreas, in addition to all its other functions, is the only source of education in the body of trypsin. An increase in its level in the blood indicates an exacerbation of chronic inflammation, often associated with gastritis or duodenal ulcer.
Quite often, several studies are required to confirm the diagnosis, especially if some of them are inaccurate or insufficiently informative.
When and to whom to show the pancreas?
There are situations when the pancreas feels pain. Most often this is due to the inflammatory process, which can manifest itself both in an acute form and in a chronic one. At the slightest pain, the pancreas must be shown to a specialist to exclude pancreatitis and prevent oncology.
But how do you know if the pain is in the pancreas? Usually the pain is felt at the top of the abdomen and around the navel. The more extensive the inflammatory process, the more intense the pain, which is shrouded in nature - this means that discomfort is felt in the back area, and not only in the abdominal cavity. Usually the pain intensifies after eating. This symptom can show on pancreatitis, with it also there is a heaviness in the abdomen, swelling of nausea and vomiting, which further strengthens the pain syndrome and worsens the condition.
That's it with such attacks, the pancreas needs to be shown to a competent specialist who, on the basis of examination and analysis, will deliver the correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment.