Chronic pancreatitis is a rather dangerous and long-term disease, which is accompanied by inflammation of the pancreas, as well as damage to its cells and tissues. This article will describe the classification of chronic pancreatitis, as well as the main features of this disease.
What is this pathology
Chronic pancreatitis most often occurs in the representatives of the weaker half of humanity in the elderly, and less often in middle age. The main reason for the development of this pathology is malnutrition.
Most often, problems with the pancreas occur precisely when a person begins to eat excessively large amounts of fried and fatty foods. However, this is not the only extreme. Also, this disease can attack women who follow an overly strict diet and deny themselves he althy foods. If humanthe body receives very little fat and protein, then the pancreas simply ceases to function properly. And besides this, if a person also abuses alcohol, then you can be sure that chronic pancreatitis will make itself felt.
Today, there is simply a huge number of classifications of this disease, each of which takes into account certain factors. Let's take a closer look at each of them.
Marseilles-Roman classification of chronic pancreatitis
This classification is very popular and widely used all over the world. According to her, there are four forms of this disease:
Obstructive. This form is characterized by the presence of inflammatory processes in the pancreas. In this case, there is a blockage of the main ducts by tumors, adhesions, or the course of the inflammatory reactions themselves
- Calcifying pancreatitis is the most common today. In this case, the tissues are destroyed focally, thus forming intraductal stones. This type of the disease is most common in people who consume large amounts of alcoholic beverages.
- The indurative form is extremely rare, as it is characterized by tissue atrophy.
- Formation of cysts and pneumocysts.
The main function of the pancreas
In order to understand such a question as the classification of chronic pancreatitis, you need to understand what function such aorgan like the pancreas. It is worth knowing that it produces various enzymes that are directly involved in the process of digestion of food. Pancreatic enzymes are able to digest incoming food to the point where it can be absorbed. During the day, this body is able to produce about one liter of secretion, which is so important for the proper digestion of food.
Signs of pathology
In order to better understand what the classification of chronic pancreatitis is, you need to understand what symptoms this pathology has. And so, what signs you should pay attention to:
- pain in the abdomen;
- improper digestion, which will have symptoms such as copious fatty feces, bloating, significant weight loss, food intolerance and weakness of the whole body;
- in some cases, in advanced stages of chronic pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus may begin to develop;
- pressure rises in the bile ducts and gastric dyspepsia syndrome is detected.
As a result of which chronic pancreatitis develops
In fact, this disease can begin to develop for several reasons, as well as their combination. Pay attention to the reasons that, according to doctors, are most often the cause of this pathology:
- excessive alcohol abuse;
- use of certain medications;
- high blood levels of calcium;
- wrong fat metabolism;
- it is not excluded the development of the disease and as a result of poor heredity;
- also the disease can manifest itself with insufficient intake of nutrients.
Chronic pancreatitis: ICD classification 10
This classification is modern and the most widely used today. According to this classification, the World He alth Organization lists new diseases every ten years, this also includes chronic pancreatitis. The modern classification gives each disease its own code, so even if the doctor does not understand a foreign language, using this code, he will be able to understand what kind of disease he is talking about.
So, according to this classification, chronic pancreatitis has two forms:
- form of alcoholic origin;
- other forms of this pathology.
Cambridge Classification
Cambridge classification of chronic pancreatitis is very popular among Western physicians. It is based on the gradation of changes in the pancreas at different stages of the course of the disease. According to this classification, the following stages of the disease are distinguished:
- The pancreas is in good condition. In this case, the organ has a normal structure and functions correctly.
- Pathologicalchronic changes. In this case, only minor changes in the pancreas are observed.
- Mild pathological changes are characterized by changes in the lateral ducts.
- Moderate pathological changes. In this case, it is already possible to notice changes not only in the lateral ducts, but also in the main one. Small cysts and necrotic tissue usually form at this stage.
- Significant pathological changes. In this case, in addition to all the changes described above, large cysts and stones can also form.
Biliary-dependent pancreatitis
Chronic biliary-dependent pancreatitis is a long-term disease of the pancreas that develops against the background of pathologies that were present in the body at the birth of the baby. In fact, this disease is very common and is characterized by the following symptoms:
Pain in all parts of the abdomen, occurring mainly at night. Pain may also radiate to the back, shoulder blades, or neck. At the same time, very often the painful symptoms of this disease can be confused with attacks of biliary colic
- Biliary-dependent pancreatitis manifests as bloating, nausea, belching, vomiting, or rumbling in the abdomen.
- During the disease, problems with the stool can be noticed. Many patients complained of diarrhea, which was observed up to five times a day. AtIn this case, the stool had a mushy character and was very poorly washed off the walls of the toilet.
- Increased blood levels of bile pigment. As a result, the skin, as well as the whites of the eyes, acquire a yellowish tint.
- Many patients experienced significant weight loss.
- Development of diabetes.
This disease is usually treated conservatively, but in very rare cases, surgery may be required.
Recurrent pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis (classification by recurrence is used very rarely) is characterized by very frequent occurrence of pain. It cannot be said that such pains are very sharp, however, with improper treatment, the patient's condition can worsen significantly.
However, if simultaneously with this pathology, the patient also has other diseases of the digestive system, then the pain can be simply intolerable. Usually the pain syndrome is present from several hours to several days. In order to eliminate the symptoms of this disease, you need to use conservative treatment methods, as well as normalize nutrition.
Treatment
Chronic pancreatitis, the etiology of which can be diverse, it is very important to start treating on time, otherwise this pathology can lead to the formation of other diseases. Usually, the chronic form of pathology is very difficult to cure with conservative methods, so experts suggest resorting to surgical intervention. Do not make hasty conclusions, visit several doctors, and already on the basis ofreceived general recommendations, determine the scheme of further treatment.
Do not forget that the treatment process should be aimed at eliminating pain, removing inflammatory processes, as well as the process of removing bile from the body.
Disease forms
It is very important to determine what kind of pancreatitis is in each individual case. The form of the disease depends on many factors. Let us consider in more detail what forms scientists distinguish:
- Edematous form of chronic pancreatitis is very similar to acute. In this case, the disease progresses for a very long time, more than six months. Very often, in addition to pain, nausea and vomiting are also present.
- The parenchymal form is characterized by a very frequent occurrence of exacerbations. As a rule, such exacerbations occur several times a year. When conducting ultrasound therapy, as well as other methods of examination, you can notice that the pancreas is characterized by some changes.
- Indurative form is usually characterized by very strong pain sensations. In addition, the amount of amylase in the blood begins to increase. However, ultrasound does not show that the organ has begun to increase in size. In some cases, on the contrary, it becomes smaller.
- In the cystic form, small cysts begin to form in the pancreas. At the same time, the organ itself begins to increase, and its contours become not so clear.
- The pseudotumor form is usually characterized by the most severe pain syndrome. At the same time, the organincreases in size and changes its shape. This can be seen even with ordinary palpation.
Of course, this disease is quite severe, so doctors advise taking care of yourself and eating right for your patients. Chronic pancreatitis can be cured with conservative treatment, but this can only be done if the disease has only an early stage. In the most severe stages, it is usually impossible to do without surgery.
Eat right, exercise, get enough rest and see a doctor on time, and then you will not be afraid of any disease. Stay he althy and take care of yourself.
