The term "enzymatic deficiency" refers to a pathological condition in which the amount of enzymes produced does not correspond to the real needs of the body. The lack of biologically active substances contributes to the occurrence of disorders of the digestive processes. Enzymatic deficiency is not an independent disease. This is an alarming sign that indicates the development of a serious pathology in the body. Ignoring the disease leads to complications.
Development mechanism
Normally, the gastrointestinal tract produces biologically active substances - enzymes that are directly involved in the digestion process. Under the influence of various adverse factors, there is a decrease in the production of enzymes. As a result, the body does not receive the amount of enzymes inneeds.
Medics distinguish 2 forms of the disease: gastrogenous and pancreatic. In the first case, enzymatic deficiency is due to a decrease in the production of gastric juice. The pancreatic form develops against the background of the course of pancreatic pathologies.
Reasons
The disease can occur under the influence of many provoking factors. The main reasons for the development of enzyme deficiency:
- Regular consumption of large amounts of food. As a result, the gastrointestinal tract cannot cope and cannot produce enzymes in the right amount.
- Pancreatitis, both acute and chronic.
- Worm infestations.
- Neoplasms of both benign and malignant nature.
- The presence of stones in the gallbladder, resulting in a violation of the outflow of pancreatic secretion.
- Hypoacid gastritis, against which the production of digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid decreases.
- Presence of inflammatory processes in the stomach and/or small intestine (gastritis, gastroenteritis, enteritis).
- Pathologies of the liver and gallbladder.
- Crohn's disease.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Amyloidosis.
- Unbalanced diet.
- Frequent adherence to strict diets.
- Surgical interventions in the organs of the digestive system.
Often the cause of the development of enzymatic insufficiency of the pancreas are congenital anomalies. In such cases, clinical manifestations occur soon after the birth of the child.
Types of illness
The disease can have a different character. The type of enzymatic deficiency in adults and children is established at the diagnostic stage without fail. This need is due to the fact that each form of the disease requires a certain approach in treatment.
Types of deficiency:
- External secretory. It develops against the background of a violation of the outflow of secretions into the duodenum, as well as a decrease in the mass of the exocrine parenchyma. Malfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract lead to severe intoxication of the body.
- Exocrine. This type develops in the presence of disorders in the pancreas, which are irreversible. Most often, enzyme deficiency occurs in people with untreated diseases of the digestive system, as well as in people whose diet consists mainly of fatty foods and alcohol-containing drinks.
- Enzymatic. The cause of the disease in this case is the uncontrolled and prolonged use of medications, the active components of which have a negative effect on the tissues of the pancreas.
- Endocrine. It occurs when the parts of the gland responsible for the production of insulin, lipocaine and glucagon are damaged. In such cases, diabetes mellitus develops simultaneously with enzyme deficiency.
Thus, the disease has several types. The main task of the doctor is to correctly determine it anddraw up the most effective treatment regimen.
Symptoms
Enzymatic deficiency is an ailment, the clinical manifestations of which directly depend on its type.
The exocrine form of the disease has the following symptoms:
- Digestive disorders. They occur after eating fatty foods, as well as foods rich in spices.
- Bloating.
- Feeling of heaviness in the stomach.
- Diarrhea. At the same time, particles of fat that are not absorbed by the body can be found in the feces.
- Pain in the lower abdomen. As a rule, they radiate to the sides.
- Dry skin. They also take on a gray tint.
- High heart rate.
- Shortness of breath.
Symptoms of pancreatic enzyme deficiency (exocrine form):
- Nausea turning into vomiting.
- Meteorism.
- Stool retention.
- Liquid stools.
- Sluggishness.
- Sleep disorders.
- Apathy.
Enzymatic type of deficiency has the following clinical manifestations:
- Rumbling and seething in the stomach.
- Diarrhea.
- Weight loss.
- Disturbed appetite.
- Drowsy.
- Fast onset of fatigue.
- Pain in the umbilical ring.
Symptoms of endocrine enzyme deficiency:
- Frequent episodes of diarrhea.
- Regular occurrence of bouts of vomiting.
- Dramatic weight loss.
- Lack of appetite.
- Burp.
- Bloating.
- Drowsy.
- Psycho-emotional instability.
Features of the disease in children
In babies, pathology develops under the influence of both external and internal provoking factors. The main causes of enzyme deficiency in children:
- Gene defects.
- Diseases of the pancreas.
- Pathologies of an infectious nature.
- Violation of the intestinal microflora.
- Uncontrolled drug use.
- Unbalanced diet.
- Living in regions with unfavorable environmental conditions.
Symptoms of enzyme deficiency in infants appear shortly after birth. The following signs are alarming:
- Loose stools.
- Lack of appetite.
- Nausea turning into vomiting.
- Dramatic weight loss.
- Bloating.
- Pain in the stomach.
In addition, with enzymatic deficiency in children, there is a strong delay in physical development. If the above warning signs appear, you should immediately show the newborn to the pediatrician.
In children after a year, enzymatic deficiency is the result of an unbalanced diet or improper introduction of complementary foods. At the same time, older children experience the same symptoms as newborns. With timelyidentifying the disease is enough to take medicines and adjust the diet. Treatment should be done by a pediatrician or gastroenterologist.
Diagnosis
Enzymatic deficiency, which is hereditary, in most cases is detected already at the stage of neonatal screening. In adults, pathology is detected during a medical examination or after a person has gone to the doctor with a number of complaints.
To identify and confirm the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive examination, including:
- ultrasound;
- duodenal sounding;
- biochemical blood test;
- stool and urine sampling.
If there is an enzymatic deficiency, the specialist draws up a treatment regimen.
Treatment
To eliminate the disease requires an integrated approach. The treatment regimen for enzymatic deficiency directly depends on the causes of the development of the pathology and its severity. If the disease is a consequence of the growth of neoplasms, it is first necessary to remove the tumors. In the process of surgical intervention, not only pathologically altered cells, but also part of the organ can be excised.
If the cause of deficiency is diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis or another ailment that does not require surgical treatment, the patient is shown taking medications, the active components of which normalize the production of enzymes in the body. As a rule, doctors prescribe the following drugs: Creon, Mezim, Pancreatin.
These medicinesare of animal origin, since their active substance is a processed pancreas taken from cattle. Often, while taking such drugs, patients experience an allergic reaction. In such cases, the doctor prescribes herbal preparations. It is worth noting that their effectiveness is much lower.
Features of food
Drug therapy will not lead to a positive result if the patient does not follow a diet. Adjusting the diet is necessary in order to reduce the degree of stress on the pancreas, so that it can recover.
It is necessary to exclude from the menu:
- fried, greasy and smoked foods;
- buffets;
- ice cream;
- canned food;
- mushrooms;
- marinades;
- meat and fatty fish;
- pickles;
- strong tea and coffee;
- alcohol and carbonated drinks.
This list can be expanded by your doctor. He also makes the final menu options, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient's he alth.
Consequences
Ignoring enzyme deficiency leads to the development of all sorts of complications. First of all, a person will constantly complain about feeling unwell. Integral companions of the disease are nausea and frequent episodes of vomiting. Over time, the work of the gastrointestinal tract will deteriorate. As a result: loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, constant painfulsensations, flatulence, bloating, belching.
Against the background of enzymatic deficiency, intoxication of the organism of a chronic form develops. As a result, the work of the cardiovascular system is disrupted in a person, the condition of the skin worsens, the degree of motor activity decreases, neurological and endocrine diseases appear.
It is important to remember that enzyme deficiency is not independent. It is always a symptom of some disease. Ignoring the disease leads to the fact that the underlying pathology progresses. As a result, a threat is created not only to he alth, but also to the life of the patient.
Prevention
To prevent the disease, it is enough to treat all identified pathologies in a timely manner and properly organize the diet. Overeating should be avoided. In addition, you need to make adjustments to the diet. It is advisable to follow the principles of proper nutrition.
People with enzyme deficiency need lifelong medication. To avoid pain and deterioration of well-being, you need to give up fatty, fried and smoked foods, as well as carbonated and alcohol-containing drinks.
In closing
Enzymatic deficiency is a pathological condition in which the amount of enzymes produced does not correspond to the real needs of the body. If the first warning signs occur, you should contact a general practitioner or gastroenterologist. The doctor will perform diagnosticmeasures and on their basis will make the most effective treatment regimen.
