The modern way of life has many benefits, but, unfortunately, it does not always contribute to a high state of health. Fast food and snacks on the go, stress, and lack of healthy sleep – all these factors can lead to disorders of the digestive system. Pancreatitis is one of the most common diseases. The pancreas becomes inflamed, and if the condition worsens, the tissues of the organ can be destroyed. This leads to the inability of the organ to function normally. In addition, if the problem is not treated in time, complications may arise, namely bacterial infection. It is important to recognize the symptoms of pancreatitis and consult a doctor at the onset of symptoms.
The increase in morbidity
Recently, an increase in pancreatitis has been recorded in the adult population around the world. Statistics say that over the past thirty years alone, the number of people suffering from the disease has increased by two times, including in Canada. But it should be noted that this is only according to official statistics. Many people refuse to seek help from a doctor, even with regular pain. This chronic disease affects from 0.2% to 0.68% of people worldwide.
In addition, the problem is particularly acute in developed countries, as the age of onset for the disease has greatly decreased. A couple of decades ago, it was mostly elderly people who suffered from pancreatitis. Today, many patients are not yet forty years old. The proportion of women with pancreatitis has also increased. Separately, the indicator for patients whose condition is directly related to alcohol dependence has grown from 40% to 80%.
If the problem is ignored, then chronic pancreatitis can turn into pancreatic cancer.
Types of disease
Doctors distinguish two forms of pancreatitis depending on the condition and complexity. The acute form manifests itself quickly and imperceptibly. The acute form is especially dangerous for the patient, so it is often necessary to resort to surgical methods. The chronic form can last for years and will not disappear without competent treatment. Generally, for chronic pancreatitis, the patient can be treated independently at home by observing the doctor’s recommendations and taking the prescribed medications. In addition, a patient with chronic pancreatitis should be regularly tested and monitored by a doctor.
Pancreatitis can be further divided into categories depending on the cause:
- Medicinal
- Autoimmune
- Infectious
- Dysmetabolic
- Biliary dependent
- Alcoholic
It should be noted that the cause of the disease does not play an important role in choosing a medicine, but doctors can give recommendations and indicate preventive measures to avoid the development of the disease in the future.
Symptoms of Pancreatitis
The cause of pancreatitis has a major influence on the exhibited symptoms. The chronic type can occur without any symptoms at all, which is even more dangerous for the patient. In the acute form, the patient feels severe pain in the left upper abdomen. Other symptoms include:
- nausea and vomiting
- increase in body temperature
- bloating
- diarrhea or stool retention
- yellowing of the skin and sclera
- rapid heartbeat
- unexplained weight loss
Without proper treatment, the symptoms of the disease will not go away. In addition, symptoms may be intermittent. It is necessary to treat the cause of pancreatitis and not just the symptoms.
Causes
Pancreatitis is formed by the premature activation of digestive enzymes. Normally, these substances are transported to the intestine in an inactive form, but in pathological conditions, enzymes begin destroying the pancreas. Pathogens can migrate to the organ from other parts of the digestive system through the blood and lymph.
Factors causing inflammation of the pancreas are:
- abuse of alcoholic beverages
- cholelithiasis
- uncontrolled medication intake
- viral and bacterial infections
- smoking
- high concentration of triglycerides and calcium in the blood
- violation of the functions of the immune system
- anatomical defects in which there is a delay of enzymes in the organ
- inflammation of the intestine and bile ducts
- abdominal injury
- malignant tumor of the pancreas
The causes of acute and chronic pancreatitis may differ, but the highest risk factors are alcoholism and diseases of the biliary tract.
Which medicine is right for me?
Your doctor will prescribe the best treatment for you after a thorough evaluation of your medical history and symptoms. The choice of drug and dosage depends on the patient’s condition and the complexity of the disease. The easiest way to get medication for pancreatitis is to order them from an online rx service, such as Canadian pharmacy, which many people use for its accessibility and variety of options. The chronic disease requires regular medical examination and analysis. Each drug has specific instructions for the dosage and method of use. Follow the advice of your doctor when taking medication. These are the primary drugs prescribed for the treatment of pancreatitis:
- Omnipen (ampicillin)
- Primaxin Iv (imipenem/cilastatin)
- Rocephin (ceftriaxone sodium)
- Creon (Pancrelipase)
- Gemcitabine
Each drug has its own contraindications and side effects, so it is important to consult a doctor before taking any medication.
Prevention of Pancreatitis
Compliance with preventive measures can save you from many problems in the future. Doctors advise the following guidelines not only for patients with chronic pancreatitis but also for everyone who wants to be healthy.
- Eat low-fat foods.
- Try not to snack, especially fast food
- Do not drink alcohol.
- Drink as much water as possible per day.
- Be physically active.
These guidelines will help reduce the risk of developing pancreatitis. In the case of chronic pancreatitis, compliance with the guideline is mandatory for optimal results.