Cyst of the pancreas: symptoms and treatment, where it is and how it hurts

The role of the pancreas in the proper functioning of the body is extremely high, but people who do not have a special medical education understand its significance only if they directly face violations of its functions. Only then do they know exactly why the pancreas is needed , where it is and how it hurts. I think it's better to get basic knowledge about the functioning of this organ and possible diseases - and most importantly, about their prevention - in advance.

Purpose of the gland

The pancreas, among other organs, is part of the human digestive tract. The name of this gland indicates that it is located under the stomach, but this is judged if a person is lying down. In the position of a person standing, it is rather behind the stomach, in the left hypochondrium, above the navel. Its structure is such that it is divided into three sections: head, body and tail. This is not the biggest organ. In an adult, it reaches a length of 15-20 cm, and widths and thicknesses - at least 3 cm. Many of the lobules, of which the pancreas consists, are in turn constructed from cells of two types.

Some of them - and the majority of them - have ducts and secrete pancreatic juice, and have no other ducts and produce hormones, mainly insulin and glucagon, which affect blood sugar levels. That is, this body combines tasks, while simultaneously participating in digestion and performing endocrine functions. Digestive function is carried out by producing enzymes: amylase turns complex carbohydrates into glucose, trypsin breaks down protein, lipase - fats. These enzymes start to work, only getting into the intestine, in the iron itself they are not active, otherwise the body would begin to digest itself. As we see, although the process of digestion begins in the mouth, the pancreas is responsible for the successful cleavage and absorption of essential nutrients by the body. Where it is and how this organ hurts, it is simply necessary to know, because, as a whole, iron has a colossal influence on the metabolism.

Characteristic pathologies of the pancreas

A number of diseases affecting the pancreas are known . The reasons for this are mainly inadequate and irregular nutrition, stress and bad habits, as well as genetic predisposition. Most often, pancreatitis is diagnosed - acute or chronic, diabetes mellitus, malignant tumors. Less common and more difficult to recognize is a disease such as the pancreas cyst, the symptoms and treatment of which will be discussed in detail below.

This disease is characterized by the fact that inside the pancreas or on its surface cavities are formed - pouches that are filled with liquid. These bags can, increasing in size, squeeze other organs. In the case of suppuration or rupture of the cyst, the consequences may be even more serious, up to a lethal outcome. Cysts can be located anywhere in the gland, from head to tail.

More about cysts

All cysts by their origin can be divided into two types: there are true cysts, and there are pseudocysts. True cysts in turn can be congenital, post-traumatic, be a consequence of impaired patency of the pancreatic duct, parasitic (with infection of echinococcus from domestic animals or opisthorchiasis from river fish), neoplastic. The latter arise as a result of tumor processes. Pseudocysts, or false cysts - are, as a rule, the result of a previous pancreatitis or trauma. In this case, the true cysts are lined with the epithelium inside, unlike the false ones.

Diagnose the cyst on the pancreas with an external examination can be if it has reached a sufficiently large size. Similarly, its presence can be determined with the help of ultrasound examination or computed tomography. The disease can occur at all without any symptoms, especially when the cyst is congenital and small in size. Such cysts most often do not disturb their owner, and are discovered quite by accident.

Symptoms of the disease

As for the signs that a cyst has formed on the pancreas, usually a person is concerned about pain in the hypochondrium - both left and right, and also in the epigastric region. In this case the pain can have a different character: dull and sharp, permanent or paroxysmal, it can be shrouded, given in the back. In addition, a person grows thin, quickly becomes tired, complains of digestive disorders. In general, if a pancreas cyst appeared , the symptoms and treatment directly depend on its size, on where it is localized, and what organs it has squeezed.

The cyst of the head of the pancreas, as a rule, leads to the squeezing of the bile ducts, up to their complete blockade, and therefore jaundice develops very often. With such a localization of the cyst it can be probed above the navel. The cyst of the tail of the pancreas can be palpated in the left hypochondrium.

Treatment options for cysts on the pancreas

As for the treatment, in the case of small, asymptomatic single cysts, it may not be required. It will be enough to regularly monitor their growth and condition, as well as how they affect neighboring organs. If the cyst is large enough, more than 5 cm in diameter, or grows rapidly, or is inflated; If due to it there is obstruction of the biliary tract or intestine, if there is a rupture of the cyst - surgical intervention is inevitable. But really cyst removal is rare, only on strict indications, when it comes to the life of the patient, as this is technically an extremely complex and responsible process, requiring a certain experience and competence of the surgeon. Such an operation is performed if the cyst is very large, or its malignant degeneration is detected.

In the medical environment, the pancreas has the glory of one of the most complex and unpredictable organs. If the cyst of the pancreas is diagnosed, the operation is complicated by the peculiarities of its location. It is located behind the stomach, and moreover in close proximity to many vital organs. In addition, the tissue of the organ itself is very fragile, it is difficult to suture it. Operations on the pancreas are fraught with dangerous complications.

Methods of surgical intervention in the case of cysts

It is often not the removal of the cyst, but its drainage, that is, the emptying - internal or through the skin, through a thin needle. After the cyst cavity is empty, sometimes repeated, there are prerequisites for this new formation to be replaced by a connective tissue. With large cysts, this procedure does not help, and is used as a preparatory stage for the operation. If the cavity of the cyst is connected to the duct of the gland - and this is determined by puncture, then it is connected with a special thin tube or with the stomach if the cyst is located in the caudal region of the pancreas or with the duodenum if the place of its dislocation is the gland's head. If the report of the cyst and duct of the gland has not been confirmed, then a special substance is introduced into the capsule of the cyst, causing the closure of its walls. If the cyst is located in the tail of the organ, then it is possible to excise it.

In general, in the case of such a disease as the pancreas cyst, the prognosis for complete healing is quite favorable even for surgical intervention, provided that this pathology is not very neglected. It is clear how important timely diagnostics of any neoplasm and the definition of its nature.

Alternative therapies

Virtually every disease that can affect the human body, one way or another is treated not only by the capabilities of traditional medicine, but also by methods of folk medicine. This can be treated in different ways. Do not completely give preference to one of these directions, completely ignoring the other. But nature tells a person a lot of ways to ease the condition in diseases. She did not ignore such a disease as the pancreas cyst. Symptoms and treatment - all this is described by folk healers. Perhaps, it will not be superfluous to listen to some recipes, especially since traditional medicine does not even find a contraindication to their use - there will not be any harm.

Herbs

So, what are the prescriptions for folk treatment of pancreatic cysts? First of all, it is herbal preparations. Vegetable natural remedies are, perhaps, the main thing, on what is nontraditional medicine. In the case of cysts, a mixture of flowers of calendula, yarrow grass and celandine is suggested for a month. With celandine should be especially careful - his overdose can lead to poisoning. The ingredients are mixed in equal amounts, a teaspoon of collection is filled with a mug of boiling water, insist in heat for about an hour. Drink infusion before meals, in small portions in about a quarter of a glass, drinking 200-250 ml per day. This tea has choleretic, anti-inflammatory and wound healing effect.

Even for the treatment of cysts on the pancreas, it is recommended to use herbs such as tansy, immortelle, plantain, St. John's Wort, chamomile, aloe and others. Some sources mention cowberry leaves, blueberries, strawberries, currants.

Mummy and other means

This natural mineral-organic product is famous for its resorptive and healing qualities. Its use is also possible in the case of such a problem as the formation of cysts on the pancreas. It is suggested to dissolve within a couple of weeks a piece of mummy the size of a match head.

It is useful in case of any pathologies of the pancreas, and the appearance of cysts including, drinking warm alkaline mineral water. Despite the help of natural remedies, the cyst of the pancreas, the symptoms and treatment of it, in order to avoid possible complications, should be regularly monitored by a doctor.

Prevention

In order to avoid problems with an organ such as the pancreas, first of all you need to give up harmful habits - alcohol and smoking. It is necessary to take all possible measures to reduce the burden on this body. And this implies compliance with the diet, the requirements of which are quite standard: it excludes fatty, fried and spicy, smoked and marinated food. In case of disruption of the functions of the pancreas, legumes as well as products rich in coarse fiber such as cabbage, radish, radish, some fruits will not be useful.