Dr. Gabriela Grigorașinternal medicine specialist, Arcadia: Chronic pancreatitis represents the long-term inflammation of the pancreas, which induces permanent changes with the destruction of pancreatic tissue, the appearance of sequelae and scars.
It is common in men and usually occurs in people between 30 and 40 years of age, affects the quality of life due to pain and requires repeated hospitalizations for symptom relief. Initially, chronic pancreatitis can be confused with acute pancreatitis due to similar symptoms. In severe cases, it leads to the cessation of the production and secretion of enzymes and insulin, with the onset of pancreatic insufficiency.
The most common causes of chronic pancreatitis include:
obstructions in the pancreatic duct or common bile duct; alcohol consumption and smoking, which are risk factors involved in the destruction of the pancreas and have a potentiated effect, especially in situations where the pancreas is already affected by another cause; cystic fibrosis; viral or parasitic infections; severe acute pancreatitis; autoimmune pancreatitis; hereditary pancreatitis; idiopathic pancreatitis – despite extensive investigations, no obvious cause of pancreatic involvement is found.
Chronic damage to the pancreas can be symptomatic through:
persistent and constant abdominal pain, which may radiate posteriorly, worsen after meals and may improve as the condition progresses; decreased appetite; nausea, vomiting; unexplained weight loss – the pancreas is no longer able to produce the enzymes necessary for food digestion, and nutrients are not absorbed, leading to protein-calorie malnutrition; steatorrhea – greasy, foul-smelling, light-colored stools, which are due to the excess of undigested food fats in the intestine; high glycemic values or diabetes, when there is damage to the beta cells that secrete insulin; some patients may remain asymptomatic until complications develop.
The diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis is made by reviewing the medical history, performing clinical examination and paraclinical, laboratory and imaging investigations. The diagnosis can be confirmed after excluding other conditions with similar symptoms, such as peptic ulcer or pancreatic cancer.
For chronic pancreatic diseases, the hygienic-dietary regime includes avoiding alcohol consumption, stopping smoking, providing meals rich in proteins and low in lipids, administered in small, repeated amounts.
Treatment aimed at combating pain, improving pancreatic function and managing complications. Drug treatment involves administration of vitamins (injectable vitamin B 12, vitamins D, E, K, A), enzymes to combat malabsorption, analgesic medication for chronic pain and treatment for diabetes. Surgical treatment it is required to remove the obstruction from the level of the pancreatic duct, for the excision of the destroyed or infected areas of the pancreas.
It is important to consult a medical specialist for the evaluation and management of pancreatic conditions. For appointments, patients have the phone number at their disposal 0232 920, Call Center Arcadia.
2023-11-15 06:39:38
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