Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction

Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction – General Information

Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction is a disorder characterized by a fibrosing and continuing inflammatory process which involves the pancreas and finally leads to a complete destruction of the parenchyma; this will then result in an irreversible loss of the endocrine as well as of the exocrine functions of the pancreas.  However, the diagnosis for these kinds of disorders is quite hard to determine, in the absence of a sure histologic confirmation. On the other hand, the doctor can choose one of the following tests, though they are not really relevant: a computed tomography, an endoscopic ultrasound, an abdominal x-ray or an endoscopic cholangiopancreatography. Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction is usually the result of an alcohol abuse. However, there are also some other factors which can increase the possibility of suffering from this disorder: the genetics and the diet. At this point, the doctors are not able to say how the alcohol affects the pancreas, but the possible mechanisms include protein plugs as the result of an excessive pancreatic secretion or a direct toxic effect. On the other hand, an obstruction can also lead to the appearance of Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction; this obstruction can be caused by a stricture, a tumor or an anatomic divisum of the pancreas. Another cause of this disease is an autosomal recessive disease, called cystic fibrosis, which usually affects young children. Even though there are a large number of problems which can lead to the appearance of this disease, in most of the cases, the doctors cannot establish the cause exactly.

Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction - Symptoms

Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction is more common in the case of men than in the case of women. In most of the cases, the patients are between 30 and 40 years old, except those who suffer from this disease as the result of an alcohol abuse; in that case, the presentation age is much lower. The most important thing which should be known about this disease is the fact that the signs and symptoms usually start to develop after about 1 year and a half after the disease establishes. The most common symptom, which was reported in most of the cases of those who suffer from this disease, is the extreme pain which, in time, becomes constant. The pain which the patients experience is usually located in the epigastrium and, in most of the cases, it gets worst when the patient eats. Other common signs and symptoms which characterize Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction are nausea, anorexia, constipation, vomiting, weight loss and flatulence. In more severe cases, the patients may experience malabsorption, steatorrhea and even diabetes mellitus. If you notice the appearance of any of the signs and symptoms described above, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible in order to obtain a sure diagnosis and to benefit from the best way of treatment. In the case of those who present drinking problems, the family should take them periodically to consult a doctor in order to be aware of their general health and to be able to treat them properly if they suffer from this disease.

Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction – Treatment

The most common tests which are taken in order to obtain information about this disease include a serum amylase test, a lipase test (as the levels of these agents increase if the patient suffers from this disease), a Sudan stain (which gives information about a possible excess fecal fat), an abdominal x-ray or an ultrasonography. In addition, an endoscopic ultrasound provides high-resolution images which are extremely useful in order to establish a sure diagnosis. However, the doctor should be extremely careful when reading the results of the test. The first step which should be taken when treating a patient with drinking and narcotic abuse problems who also suffers from Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction is to provide him psychological and emotional support. However, the treatment for Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction consists in the replacement of lost functions of the pancreas and in the control of the pain which the patients experience. In the case of a more severe situation, the doctor may also choose to perform an endoscopic or surgical intervention. The surgical intervention is highly recommended in the case of those patients who also present complications such as pancreatic fistula, duodenal obstruction, pseudocyst or an obstruction of the bile duct. However, more than half of those who suffer from this disease have to go through a medical intervention in the course of the disorder. In addition to these procedures, the patients may also be recommended to start the administration of antioxidants in order to improve the recovery process.

In the case of those who experience steatorrhea, the doctor will prescribe a low-fat diet; in this case, the pancreatic enzymes can be taken orally before the meals. In the case of those patients who also suffer from diabetes, the doctor will prescribe oral hypoglycemics or insulin. In order to reduce the pain, the doctor will administrate the patient simple or narcotic analgesics, considering the intensity of the feeling.  However, the most important thing when treating a patient who suffers from Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction is to provide him all the emotional support he needs in order to give up drinking and smoking, as these habits can influence a lot his healing process and they can even lead to the appearance and development of other serious complications, such as pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction should be treated as soon as possible as there are a large number of complications which can appear. The most common ones include a narcotic addiction or a recurrent exacerbation. In such cases, the patients will be recommended to consult a specialist and refer to a specialized medical centre. The most dangerous complication which can appear is steatotthea, characterized by a lipase deficiency, as the result of an excessive loss of the exocrine functions of the pancreas. The malabsorption can lead to an extreme weight loss, which can be worsened by the patient’s refusal to eat; in this case, the patient may experience severe vitamin deficiencies. Other severe complications which may be experienced by those who suffer from Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction are diabetes, pericardial effusions, ascites, pleural effusions, gastritis, ulcerations or severe inflammations of the small joints.