Pancreatic lipomatosis - symptoms, causes, types and treatment

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Pancreatic lipomatosis - symptoms, causes, types and treatment
Pancreatic lipomatosis - symptoms, causes, types and treatment
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What is pancreatic lipomatosis?

Pancreatic lipomatosis is a progressive pathology during which pancreatic cells are replaced by fat cells that are unable to perform their function. This disease has another name - steatosis (or dystrophy).

Symptoms of lipomatosis

Quite often, the disease passes without symptoms, feeling that the patient could go to the hospital. Symptoms do not appear when fat cells are located throughout the pancreas in small islands. The severity of symptoms depends on the number and size of fatty inclusions. For this reason, at the initial stage, the disease proceeds without any signs. Gradually, adipose tissue begins to increase, and this leads to the appearance of the first manifestations of the disease. Due to the growth of the lipomatous focus in the gland, structural disorders occur that prevent the necessary enzymes from entering the intestine.

lipomatosis
lipomatosis

A person suffering from pancreatic lipomatosis feels the symptoms of indigestion:

  • Discomfort and heaviness in the abdomen after eating.
  • Pain in the hypochondrium.
  • Constipation or diarrhea.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Disease and general decline in performance.

Causes of lipomatosis

Lipomatosis provokes destructive changes that occur in the pancreas. Due to the growth of adipose tissue, metabolism is disturbed. There is an assumption that heredity may have a role in the occurrence of the disease.

Significantly increases the risk of disease due to hormonal imbalance, in the presence of complex chronic diseases, overweight.

Among the reasons that provoke the growth of adipose tissue in place of he althy cells, it is worth highlighting the following:

  • Inflammatory processes of the pancreas.
  • Injuries.
  • Diabetes mellitus.
  • Toxic damage to the organ, resulting from the abuse of smoking and irrational intake of drugs.

Degrees of development of pancreatic lipomatosis

Medical clinicians identify several theories for dividing the degrees of lipomatosis. If we take the degree of spread of pathology as a criterion, then the disease is divided into three degrees:

I degree. At this stage, the disease proceeds without symptoms. The work of the gland is compensated, and the pathological process covers no more than 30% of the organ.

II degree. The degree of gland damage covers from 30 to 60%. The first symptoms appear in the form of a violation of the digestive process.

III degree. The lesion covers more than 60% of the organ, disrupting its work. As a result, glandular cells cannot produce the necessary enzymes and hormones. In addition, because of this, insulin ceases to be produced. It is uncontrolled glucose levels that are the main cause of complications in lipomatosis.

There is another opinion of doctors, on the basis of which two stages of lipomatosis are distinguished:

  • Diffuse, or small focal.
  • Isular, which causes large island spots.

Diagnosis of disease

If you have symptoms of indigestion, you need to see a doctor urgently. Only a specialist can make a correct diagnosis.

Diagnosis of pancreatic lipomatosis is diagnosed only by ultrasound. The pictures show the normal size of the organ with increased echogenicity of its structure. It is this fact that indicates the occurrence of the pathological process of the pancreas.

A biopsy is done to make a definitive diagnosis. In case of detection of pathological fat cells, the specialist prescribes the required treatment.

Treatment of pancreatic lipomatosis

Most often, pancreatic lipomatosis is treated with conservative methods. It implies the following:

  • Revision and correction of the daily diet.
  • Fight against excess body weight.
  • Getting rid of bad habits: smoking, drinking alcohol.
  • Keeping a he althy lifestyle.

In addition, additional therapy is prescribed, which is aimed at normalizing digestion and restoring hormonal deficiency.

Conservative treatment includes the treatment of concomitant diseases (if any), such as:

  • Hepatitis.
  • Thyroid disease.
  • Selection of therapy for diabetes mellitus.

If conservative treatment does not have the expected effect, the areas of lipomatosis are surgically removed.

Diet for pancreatic lipomatosis

Since the changes that occur with lipomatosis are irreversible, it is necessary to concentrate on its therapy. Of paramount importance in it is a diet that helps prevent the spread of fat cells. Doctors pay special attention to her. The basis of such a diet is fractional nutrition. You need to eat in small portions, 5-6 times a day. It is recommended to cook food steamed, without adding vegetable oil. You will need to exclude fatty, fried foods, sweets, spicy dishes, smoked meats, alcohol from the diet.

You must eat lean meats and fish, dairy products, vegetables, a variety of cereals, including buckwheat, rice and oats. Daily energy requirement should not exceed 2800 calories.

It should be noted that lipomatosis is a serious disease that requires qualified treatment. If the slightest symptoms of the disease appear, you should consult a doctor. Only in this case you can prevent the spread of the disease and the occurrence of complications. If you do not get timely help, the disease will take on a very serious form, the treatment of which will require surgical intervention.

In no case should you self-medicate and try to adjust your diet on your own. Only a specialist can prescribe a competent treatment and diet.

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