What can pancreatic pain mean? This question is asked by anyone who has ever suffered from this condition. The answer, however, is not obvious: pancreatic pain can have various causes - including both trivial irritation and disturbing inflammation, and even cancer. It can also be of different nature - pancreatic pain can be acute or chronic. However, it should not be underestimated, because the failure of the pancreas - an organ very important in the digestive and endocrine systems - should always cause anxiety and lead to an in-depth diagnosis.
Pancreatic painis quite characteristic. The pancreas is under the left rib, which is why the pain in the pancreas is located there, although it often radiates to the spine, piercing part of the back. The pain in the pancreas is usually severe, with the typical feeling of being wrapped around the entire epigastrium.
Pancreatic pain may come on unexpectedly, for example after overeating or drinking too much alcohol (and it may subside over time), but it may also recur from time to time, signaling more serious he alth problems.
Why does the pancreas hurt? How do you tell the difference between pancreatic pain and stomach pain? How can you tell if your symptoms are caused by inflammation or pancreatic cancer? How do you relieve pain in the pancreas, and if so, can you take any medications yourself?
Pancreatic pain - how to distinguish it from stomach pain?
Pancreatic pain is not always easily distinguishable from stomach pain. Both types of pain can be equally severe: piercing, radiating to the spine. Stomach pain is usually a burning sensation, whereas pancreatic pain is usually described as sharp or dull, but without a burning sensation.
In recognizing whether the pancreas or stomach hurts, the location is key: pancreatic pain appears on the left side under the ribs, while stomach pain is localized in the central part of the epigastric region, just below the breastbone.
Pancreatic pain - acute pancreatitis (acute pancreatitis)
A sharp pain in the left side of the abdomen that radiates to the spine and does not continue for several days - or comes back intermittently - may signal acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis often results from the presence of deposits in the bile ducts that connect to itpancreas at the entrance to the duodenum (Vater's papilla).
Other causes of acute pancreatitis include diseases of the biliary tract and gallbladder, alcohol abuse, hyperparathyroidism, autoimmune diseases, certain medications, and even human roundworm infection. Acute pancreatitis can also occur as a result of a viral infection.
Pain in the pancreas from acute pancreatitis is usually accompanied by other ailments such as nausea and vomiting, as well as fever. As PAC can lead to obstruction of the intestine, problems with bowel movements can also occur.
Acute pancreatitis requires urgent medical consultation not only because of the accompanying increased pain in the pancreas: it is a condition that poses a serious threat to he alth, and its treatment is carried out in a hospital. The method of treatment depends on both the cause and severity of ACS, as well as the risk of complications assessed by the doctor.
See gallery 4 photosPancreatic pain - chronic pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis can also be a cause of pancreatic pain. The course of this disease can be very different, and the pain associated with it may appear and gradually increase over the course of a few days, or recur for a long time (e.g. several weeks) and occur with very different intensity.
Pain accompanying chronic pancreatitis is annoying and most often occurs after meals or after alcohol, it is accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms: foul, greasy diarrhea (impairment of the pancreas leads to insufficient digestion of fats), vomiting, slight yellowing of the skin may appear and mucous membranes, and even diabetes. As organ damage progresses, insulin production is impaired, which may even lead to diabetes.
The patient is losing weight because insufficient digestion means that he does not absorb sufficient amounts of nutrients, besides, exacerbation of symptoms after meals leads to a reduction in their consumption. Treatment of chronic pancreatitis usually consists of following a diet, eliminating the causes of the disease (e.g. alcohol), and administering painkillers, pancreatic enzymes and, if necessary, glucose. In some cases an operation is necessary.
Pancreatic pain - pancreatic cyst
It happens that pancreatic pain is caused by a pancreatic cyst, which as it grows in size causes more and more discomfort, and then severe pain in the abdominal cavity, especially in the area of the left hypochondrium.
Pancreatic cysts may accompany as wellnausea, vomiting and also fever. The pancreatic cyst is most often the result of inflammation of this organ, but sometimes it may be parasitic or cancerous. Pancreatic pain accompanying a pancreatic cyst will not go away by itself: severe symptoms require drainage of the cyst, and if large, it is removed surgically.
Pancreatic pain - when does it mean pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic pain can also be a symptom of the developing pancreatic cancer. However, it is worth remembering that pancreatic cancer does not give any symptoms for a long time, especially if it is located in the tail or body of the pancreas - and if they do appear, the disease is usually in a very advanced stage.
Discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen on the left side, accompanied by flatulence, nausea, constipation or diarrhea, as well as inexplicable weight loss or anorexia, general weakness, do not necessarily indicate pancreatic cancer, but always require in-depth diagnosis, therefore, if they appear, they should be a signal for urgent contact with a doctor.
Pancreatic pain: how does a doctor make a diagnosis?
Pancreatic pain should not be taken lightly, but in order to find its cause, it is often necessary to undergo a series of tests. During the visit, the doctor examines the pancreas by palpation, he should also order biochemical tests to determine the activity of pancreatic enzymes, as well as imaging tests, assessing, among others, the appearance and condition of the pancreas and pancreatic ducts - such as abdominal ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.