Pancreatitis is an acute or chronic disease in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. For what reasons pancreatitis can develop, and what symptoms indicate this disease, Nina Zubova, a surgeon, coloproctologist, and expert at the Gemotest laboratory, told Izvestia on October 25.
The pancreas, according to the expert, is a large organ of the digestive system that produces enzymes necessary for digesting food: proteases (they break down proteins), lipase (helps digest fats), amylase (works with carbohydrates). Normally, all these enzymes are part of the pancreatic secretions come from the pancreas to the intestines. But if the outflow of pancreatic secretions is disrupted for some reason, then the already produced enzymes remain in the pancreas and begin to “digest” it itself.
“In medicine, it is customary to distinguish three types of pancreatitis – acute, reactive and chronic. Each of them has its own causes and its own characteristic symptoms,” the doctor explained.
Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas. Main symptoms: sharp girdle pain in the upper abdomen or left hypochondrium, nausea and vomiting, heartburn, flatulence, increased body temperature. There may also be yellowing of the whites of the eyes.
Chronic pancreatitis (its development or exacerbation) can also be triggered by alcohol abuse and taking medications.
Reactive pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that occurs against the background of diseases of other organs of the digestive tract. The main symptoms of reactive pancreatitis include pain in the upper abdomen, nausea and vomiting, decreased blood pressure, and increased temperature up to +37… +37.5 degrees.
“If an acute attack of pancreatitis occurs, you should immediately call an ambulance. Before the doctors arrive, you can put ice, a bottle of cold water on the solar plexus area, and also take any antispasmodic,” the doctor concluded.
In February, hepatologist Sergei Vyalov explained which combination of foods negatively affects the pancreas. According to him, this is alcohol together with fatty foods.
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