Alcoholic pancreatitis: symptoms of treatment in men with alcoholism

Alcoholic pancreatitis is a severe form of the inflammatory process in the pancreas, develops as a result of chronic alcohol dependence or with a single use of alcoholic beverages or surrogates along with fatty foods.

Subjective clinical manifestations: shingles pain syndrome in the upper abdomen, nausea, repeated vomiting, disruption of the digestive tract, diarrhea, increased body temperature.

The diagnosis is made based on the examination of the patient. The concentration of pancreatic enzymes must be specified, an ultrasound scan, computed tomography or MRI is performed.

Treatment of alcoholic pancreatitis is a complex and lengthy process. The key factor for a positive result is the absolute exclusion of any alcoholic beverages from the diet.

The mechanism of development of alcoholic pancreatitis

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) distinguishes this form of the disease as ubiquitous. Etiopathogenesis is based on toxic damage to the cells of the pancreas.

Alcoholic pancreatitis is considered a disease that most often develops in chronic alcoholism. Ethanol and its derivatives have a detrimental effect on the tissues of the internal organ, which leads to functional impairment.

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The development of the disease occurs according to the following scenario:

  • In the secret of an internal organ, under the influence of toxic substances, proteins are actively produced.
  • In the gastric cavity, the concentration of hydrochloric acid increases.
  • In the liver, the production of bile increases, and accordingly, its concentration increases.
  • In the duodenum, due to the high content of acid in the stomach, excessive production of hormones – cholecystokine and pancreasim is observed. Their level increases tenfold.
  • Due to the high content of protein components, their combination into large formations is revealed, as a result, proteins are retained on the inner surface of the pancreatic ducts, which leads to the formation of protein plaques.
  • This chain provokes a violation of the outflow of the secretion produced in the pancreas.
  • Due to protein plaques, intraductal pressure increases, which leads to the penetration of enzyme substances into the pancreatic tissue.

Enzyme components that are produced by the body are in a latent state. But in the process of normal digestion of food, they “wake up”, help break down protein, fat and carbohydrate compounds.

When there is a violation of the outflow of enzymes, they are activated not in the ducts, but inside the organ itself, which leads to their excess, pancreas tissues are digested.

Inside the organ, necrotic processes are observed, vascular passages are narrowed, and inflammation is manifested.

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Types and symptoms

Acute alcoholic pancreatitis is an alcoholic-pancreatic type of disease that develops as a result of a one-time consumption of alcohol. Especially if the picture proceeds against the background of a one-time consumption of fatty foods and smoking.

This type of ailment poses a danger not only to human health, but also to his life, and can lead to death in the absence of adequate assistance. Usually diagnosed in men at a young age.

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Chronic alcoholic pancreatitis develops as an independent disease or due to an acute neglected process. The disease is due to the frequent use of alcohol, in other words, drunkenness. It does not matter how much alcohol enters the body.

Symptoms of pancreatitis in men with alcoholism increase gradually, while the processes of blockage of the excretory ducts of the gland occur. The main symptom of the pathological process is pain syndrome. It is present in the central abdomen. The duration of the pain varies from a few hours to a couple of days. If an alcoholic has an acute form of the disease, then after a meal, the symptoms increase many times over.

Having found out the etiology of the disease, and the effect of alcohol on the gland, consider the symptoms of the disease:

  1. Bloating, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, which tends to intensify after eating or drinking.
  2. Shingles pain. After eating, it begins to hurt more strongly, it is possible to eliminate painful sensations only through strong medicines. In remission of the chronic form, this symptom is muted. Flare-ups usually occur every 6-12 months.
  3. A rapid decrease in body weight, based on disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, a decrease in food intake.
  4. Stool change. Patients visit the toilet more often, the feces become liquid, there is an oily sheen.
  5. In some cases, the picture is complemented by weakness, redness of the skin.

Based on clinical manifestations, the doctor conducts primary diagnostics, prescribes treatment for the disease.

In the absence of adequate therapy, inflammatory processes move to the tissues surrounding the pancreas.

Pancreatic inflammation treatment

The acute form of alcoholic pancreatitis requires food refusal for 1-4 days. Rest and abstinence from food allow the affected organ, which has taken a hit from a large concentration of toxins, to rest.

Since the pathogenesis of the disease is due to exposure to toxic substances, it is strictly forbidden to consume alcoholic beverages during treatment. Smoking is not recommended during therapy.

Description of the goals of therapeutic therapy:

  • Neutralization and elimination of toxic components from the body, which were received as a result of alcohol intoxication.
  • Restoration of the functionality of the internal organ (removal of edema, leveling the inflammatory process, normalizing the diameter of the ducts, improving the outflow of pancreatic secretions, etc.).
  • Restoration of the functionality of other digestive organs that have suffered from the negative effects of toxic substances.
  • Reducing the severity of pain.

A special diet is recommended, implying the consumption of permitted foods in accordance with the 5th pancreatic diet. For adult patients, enzyme medications are prescribed as replacement therapy; antiemetics and pain relievers. During therapy, it is necessary to control the concentration of glucose in the body, if necessary, adjust with the help of drugs.

Patients are prescribed to take Pancreatin, a drug that promotes the production of pancreatic juice. It contains enzymes – lipase, protease, amylase, which break down food.

Alternative treatment at home will not help with an exacerbation. On thematic forums, doctors note that self-therapy can lead to serious complications, up to and including death. The only thing you can do at home is to put a cold heating pad on your stomach to relieve pain.

Surgical intervention is focused on opening an abscess and cyst, removing a part of an internal organ, and closing the fistulous tract.

Surgery is used when complications of pancreatitis are present.

Complications and prognosis, prevention

The frequent negative consequences of alcoholic pancreatitis include the appearance of obstructive jaundice, the formation of fistulous tracts, and the development of cysts. Against the background of jaundice, there is a strong poisoning of the body with bile, which leads to a change in the color of the skin – they turn yellow.

An equally dangerous consequence is the occurrence of diabetes mellitus, a chronic disease accompanied by high blood glucose. In turn, this disease leads to other, no less serious complications.

The prognosis of a chronic ailment is unfavorable. In an acute attack, the prognosis depends on the severity of the pathology, clinical manifestations, and the timeliness of medical care. Pancreatic necrosis is often diagnosed, leading to the death of the patient.

Prevention recommendations:

  1. Refusal from alcohol, smoking.
  2. Correct and balanced nutrition.
  3. Preventive visit to a gastroenterologist.

The use of alcohol in the future leads to the fact that in the near future such diseases as malignant tumors, cirrhosis of the liver, cholecystitis, gastroduodenitis appear in the patient’s history card. Thus, the compatibility of alcohol and pancreatitis is zero.

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