Pancreatic diseases: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Among all diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), the incidence of chronic pancreatitis ranges from 5.1 to 9%, and in the last few decades, the incidence of pancreatitis in our country has doubled1.

Chronic pancreatitis is an insidious disease, largely due to its recurrent nature. Patients are often concerned about periods of exacerbation, accompanied by severe pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Where does chronic pancreatitis come from? What causes the disease and is it possible to fight it? Let's try to figure it out.

Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis

Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis may vary depending on the stage (remission or exacerbation), course and physical condition of the patient. The main signs of the disease are as follows:

• acute pain without clear localization. Pain can be felt in the right hypochondrium, upper or middle abdomen and spread to the back. In many patients, pain occurs immediately after eating, especially if the diet contained fatty, smoked or spicy foods;
• frequent loose stools are one of the main signs of indigestion. Digestive problems in chronic pancreatitis are caused by a lack of enzymes;
• heaviness in the abdomen, nausea, which also indicate a lack of digestive enzymes;
• increasing feeling of hunger, muscle tremors, weakness, cold sweat;
• intoxication, manifested in fever, chronic fatigue, and a feeling of general malaise.

Major diseases of the pancreas

Most pathologies of the pancreas begin to develop with pancreatitis. It can have 2 forms - acute and chronic. In turn, acute pancreatitis is of 3 types:

1. Edema – accompanied by severe swelling of the gland, which disappears within 5-10 days.
2. Sterile pancreatic necrosis - some of the gland cells die, which is not associated with infection.
3. Infected pancreatic necrosis - in this case, cells die due to infection. This is the most dangerous condition, leading to death in 80% of cases.

Chronic pancreatitis develops over a long period of time and is not accompanied by acute pain. This disease most often occurs in the age group of 35-50 years. The pain can be either constant or paroxysmal (around the abdomen). This symptom is the most characteristic.

Causes of chronic pancreatitis

One of the most common causes of chronic pancreatitis is poor diet and unhealthy lifestyle. Constant overeating, abuse of fatty foods and alcohol cause blockage of the excretory ducts of the pancreas.

Narrowed excretory ducts provoke the accumulation and premature activation of digestive enzymes. As a result, the pancreas actually begins to digest itself, and inflammation forms1.

In addition, the following factors can lead to chronic pancreatitis3:

• ulcer of the duodenum, stomach and enteritis. Chronic inflammation of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract makes it difficult to secrete pancreatic juice, which often causes chronic pancreatitis;
• cholelithiasis. After leaving the gallbladder, the stone causes blockage of the common duct and inflammation of the pancreas develops;
• genetic predisposition;
• toxic effects of drugs.

Is it possible to cure pancreatitis forever?

The likelihood of recovery from pancreatitis depends on the form of the disease and its cause. Sometimes a mild form is caused by eating a lot of fatty foods or drinking alcohol. In this case, the inflammation can go away on its own without leaving any traces: excess fluid will not form around the organ, the ducts will not be blocked, which means enzymes will not accumulate in the gland.

Another thing is alcoholism, complications of gallstone disease, the presence of inflammation or tumors in other organs of the digestive system. Pancreatitis as a concomitant disease requires strict medical supervision. If the situation is advanced: the structure of the organ is changed or part of it dies (pancreatic necrosis), then there is no talk of cure. After completing a course of mandatory drug therapy, patients will have to undergo maintenance therapy, a strict diet, and a complete cessation of alcohol and smoking. According to doctors, the patient should be monitored for at least three months. Physical activity will become a good habit. Physical education improves metabolic processes, helps control weight and cleanses toxins.

Diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis

Identifying chronic pancreatitis can be difficult due to the nonspecific clinical picture. Nausea, abdominal pain, digestive problems - these symptoms are characteristic of many diseases, for example, stomach ulcers or chronic cholecystitis. Therefore, identifying the disease may require a whole range of studies. Diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis may include2,3:

• external examination of the patient. Chronic pancreatitis may be indicated by bluish areas of the skin on the front and side walls of the abdomen. In some patients, bright red patches of skin on the chest and back become noticeable. Palpation may reveal pain in the left hypochondrium and the upper third of the abdomen;
• a general and detailed blood test, which shows the presence of an inflammatory process, based on an increase in the concentration of leukocytes;
• laboratory blood test to identify markers of nutritional status;

• fecal elastase test;
• ultrasonography. In some cases, ultrasound examination (ultrasound) can be performed through the walls of the stomach and duodenum, which significantly increases the accuracy of the examination. This method is called endoUS and combines the possibility of endoscopic and ultrasound diagnostics of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT);
• computed tomography: used to determine complications of pancreatitis associated with thickening of the pancreas tissue.

Diagnosis of the disease at the private medical clinic “Medunion”

Diagnosing this disease is not difficult, since the first signs speak for themselves. However, in order to prescribe adequate treatment, it is necessary to determine the form of the disease. To do this, the doctor performs laparoscopy - a method that allows you to examine the abdominal cavity from the inside using a special instrument.

If acute pancreatitis is suspected, laboratory tests are performed:

• General blood analysis
• Blood chemistry
• Analysis of urine
• Stool analysis
• Ultrasound, MRI or radiography of the abdominal organs
• Computed tomography according to indications

In the chronic form, the same studies are carried out, but it is better to take tests during the period of exacerbation of the disease.

Exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis may hardly manifest itself until the period of exacerbation. Relapse of the disease is usually associated with two main reasons3:

• alcohol consumption. Even a small amount of alcohol consumed can provoke the transition of the disease into the acute phase;
• violation of the diet, overeating, a large number of fatty, fried, spicy dishes on the menu.

Other factors can also provoke exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis in adults, for example, chronic stress, physical fatigue, poisoning or the toxic effects of certain medications3.

Exacerbation of the disease is manifested by the following symptoms3:

• attack of acute or dull pain in the hypochondrium. Painful sensations spread to the subscapular region or the entire back;
• progressive diarrhea. In this case, the feces have a characteristic greasy shine. Undigested food remains are often observed in the stool;
• the occurrence of specific bitterness in the oral cavity, nausea and loss of appetite;
• whitish coating on the surface of the tongue;
• weight loss.

Exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis in adults can last for one to two weeks. You cannot fight the disease on your own during this period: the best solution is hospitalization and constant monitoring by specialists.

Sources

1. Minutes of the meeting of the Expert Commission on Health Development of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 23 dated December 12, 2013. Acute pancreatitis.
2. St. Petersburg State Medical University named after Academician I. P. Pavlov. Department of Faculty Therapy, author: Honored Doctor of the Russian Federation, Associate Professor E. V. Kraevsky. Chronic pancreatitis.
3. Clinical protocol for diagnosis and treatment No. 18 of the Expert Council of the Republican State Enterprise at the Republican Center for Healthcare Development of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated November 30, 2015. Chronic pancreatitis in children.
4. First St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I.P. Pavlova. Treatment of acute pancreatitis. Authors: S. F. Bagnenko, N. V. Rukhlyada, A. D. Tolstoy, V. R. Goltsov.

Treatment of chronic pancreatitis

The answer to the question “how to cure chronic pancreatitis” remains open even for modern doctors. The treatment regimen is determined by the doctor for each individual case. The main thing is that therapy should be comprehensive, affecting the main cause of the disease.

Treatment of chronic pancreatitis includes2,3,4:

• immediate cessation of bad habits. Smoking and abuse of strong alcoholic beverages aggravate the inflammatory process and contribute to the subsequent development of the disease;
• strict adherence to the diet. The daily diet should contain high-calorie foods, without spicy foods, salt and pure sugar. You should eat food often, in small portions. In case of exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis, therapeutic fasting is prescribed, which will help stop pancreatic secretion and relieve pain. After 1-3 “hungry” days, the patient is transferred to a special diet;
• basic therapy. In this case, we are talking about taking the following type of drugs: antispasmodics and analgesics, antisecretory and detoxification drugs. Treatment is carried out under the supervision of a doctor with strict adherence to the instructions;

• taking enzyme preparations, the task of which is to compensate for the impaired functioning of the pancreas. The fact is that the pancreas does not recover (it is not the liver), and therefore will no longer be able to work at full capacity during chronic pancreatitis. That is why the first line of therapy is enzyme preparations, which should be taken for life. An example of an enzyme drug prescribed for chronic pancreatitis is Creon®;
• complex therapy. May include taking antispasmodics or analgesics, antisecretory and detoxification medications. Therapy is carried out under the supervision of a physician with strict adherence to the instructions;
• taking anti-inflammatory and painkillers that improve the patient’s well-being;
• herbal medicine, which can be prescribed during remission only as prescribed by a doctor.

What to do if an exacerbation of pancreatitis occurs suddenly, and the ambulance has not yet arrived? Before the doctors arrive, you need to lie down, try to relax your abdominal muscles as much as possible and apply a heating pad with cold water to the sore spot. You should not take painkillers or any other medications - this will interfere with correct diagnosis. And, of course, any food and drinks, even plain water, are strictly prohibited, because any food or liquid can cause increased pain3.

Drugs

The main task in the treatment of pancreatitis is to get rid of the cause that caused the inflammation and prevent the onset of complications. Therefore, doctors prescribe a whole course of tablets that should help the digestive system cope with the malfunction (Fig. 3).

Figure 3. To treat pancreatitis, medications of different directions of action are used. Source: MedPortal

Antispasmodics for pancreatitis

Antispasmodics are prescribed to relieve pain and muscle spasms. They can be administered intramuscularly or intravenously. The main ones include those containing drotaverine, mebeverine, pinaverium bromide, m-anticholinergics (metocinium iodide, atropine).

Enzymes and antienzyme drugs for pancreatitis

With pancreatitis, the gland is unable to produce enzymes necessary for digestion. Therefore, the patient must receive them from outside. In addition, the introduction of enzymes allows the gland to reduce their production and rest. Enzymes are prescribed only in the absence of exacerbation. They are divided into those that contain pancreatin (with and without bile components), and those that contain only components of plant origin (simethicone, chymopapain).

In acute pancreatitis, intoxication of the body occurs. Enzymes accumulate in the pancreas and, instead of going further to the duodenum, enter the blood. Anti-enzyme drugs are used to cleanse the body and relieve stress on the pancreas. They are drunk in the first 5 days from the onset of the disease. The main active ingredient of such drugs is aprotinin.

Important! Enzyme preparations must be taken with every meal. The enzyme preparation, its dosage and duration of treatment are determined only by the doctor. Under no circumstances should you take enzymes for acute pain. Such pain indicates worsening inflammation in the pancreas. Taking enzymes in this case will lead to increased intraductal pressure, which in the future will lead to blockage of blood vessels and necrosis.

Antacids

Hydrochloric acid, which is contained in gastric juice, triggers the work of the pancreas. The more of this acid, the more actively the iron works. With pancreatitis, increased activity of the organ leads to pain and complications. Antacids are used to reduce acidity in the stomach. They contain algeldate and magnesium hydroxide, which neutralize stomach acid. Doctors give preference to drugs in liquid form.

Antisecretory

Antisecretory drugs reduce the production of hydrochloric acid, which is contained in gastric juice. Its excessive amount leads to the fact that the alkaline pancreatic secretion is not able to neutralize the acidity of the environment. It is the alkaline environment that provides the best conditions for digestion, so its restoration is one of the tasks in the fight against pancreatitis. Another function of such drugs is to have a cytoprotective effect. They increase the secretion of protective mucus, increase blood flow to the digestive system and promote scar healing.

H2 blockers

These are antihistamine antisecretory agents. Their action is aimed at preventing the excitation of H2 receptors, which stimulate the work of all glands: salivary, gastric, pancreas. They reduce the acidity of gastric juice, delay the production of hydrochloric acid and pepsin, which breaks down protein. These include drugs containing famotidine, ranitidine, etc.

Proton pump inhibitors

Medicines whose purpose is to block the work of the proton pump located in the gastric mucosa and thereby reduce the acidity of the stomach by reducing the production of hydrochloric acid. The same acid that is necessary for digestion, but in large quantities leads to gastritis, and then to ulcers. Such drugs are benzimidazole derivatives. This includes drugs containing omeprazole, pantoprazole, lansoprazole, etc.

The drug Creon® 25000 for chronic pancreatitis

Find out more
Decreased pancreatic function inevitably leads to a lack of digestive enzymes in the body, so-called enzyme deficiency. As a result, the quality of digestion suffers, and the body does not receive the necessary energy and nutrients for full functioning. Creon® is designed specifically to compensate for the lack of its own enzymes through their delivery from the outside and belongs to the group of enzyme preparations. The drug contains enzymes identical to those produced by the pancreas. The key feature is that the active ingredient Creon® is small particles - minimicrospheres, which are collected in a capsule. The fact is that science has been studying enzyme preparations for more than 100 years in order to increase their effectiveness. To date, scientific advances indicate that preparations with particles whose size does not exceed 2 mm4.5 can most accurately recreate the natural process of digestion. Moreover, it has been scientifically proven that the smaller the particles of the drug, the more effective it can be4,6.

Creon® is the only drug whose capsule contains hundreds of small particles - minimicrospheres7. Their size does not exceed 2 mm, which is recorded as recommended in world and Russian scientific works4,5,6.

Prevention and recommendations

Prevention is based on eliminating risk factors that provoke the disease:

• timely treatment of diseases that provoke pancreatitis
• eliminating the possibility of chronic intoxication that contributes to the development of this disease (industrial, as well as alcoholism)
• ensuring a balanced diet and daily routine.

Nutrition for chronic pancreatitis

For pancreatitis, all dishes are made from lean meat and fish - and then only in the boiled version. Fried foods are prohibited. You can consume dairy products with a minimum percentage of fat content. It is advisable to drink only natural juices, compotes and tea from liquids.

The following should be completely excluded:

• all types of alcohol, sweet (grape juice) and carbonated drinks, cocoa, coffee
• fried foods
• meat, fish, mushroom broths
• pork, lamb, goose, duck
• smoked meats, canned food, sausages
• pickles, marinades, spices, mushrooms
• white cabbage, sorrel, spinach, lettuce, radishes, turnips, onions, rutabaga, legumes, raw ungrated vegetables and fruits, cranberries
• pastries, black bread
• confectionery, chocolate, ice cream, jam, creams
• lard, cooking fats
• cold food and drinks

A qualified nutritionist will help you think through the basics of nutrition for chronic pancreatitis, create a diet and take into account the wishes and habits of the patient.

What else is important to know about enzyme preparations?

The minimum starting dosage is Creon® 25,000 units, which is stated in Russian recommendations for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency2,5. The number indicates the amount of the enzyme lipase, which helps digest fats. If necessary, the doctor can increase the dosage; in European practice, the required dose per single dose can reach up to 80,000 units8. By comparison, the pancreas of a healthy person produces up to 720,000 of these units during each meal9.

Therapy should be taken seriously, since high-quality “nutrition” of the body is the key to its functioning. How long can a person live without energy from food? With chronic pancreatitis, the body must be supplied with enzymes at every meal, even with a snack. Thus, in accordance with the instructions for the drug Creon®, a full dose is required for a meal (for example, 25,000 units), and half for a snack. Creon® capsules are convenient to use: you can open them and add minimicrospheres to food, thereby selecting the desired dose10. More information about the admission rules can be found here.

Forecast

Chronic pancreatitis is a serious disease. However, if you follow the recommendations of the supervising physician for the prevention of exacerbations (compliance with dietary recommendations, preventive courses of treatment, etc.), chronic pancreatitis proceeds “calmly”, without frequent exacerbations and has a favorable survival prognosis.

If the diet is violated, alcohol intake, smoking and inadequate treatment, degenerative processes in the gland tissue progress and severe complications develop, many of which require surgical intervention and can be fatal.