Diffuse changes in the pancreas are violations in its structure, determined by ultrasound. Ultrasound will provide an opportunity to assess the size of the pancreas, the accuracy of its shape, and will identify possible neoplasms. Timely treatment will prevent the inflammatory process of the gastric and intestinal sections.

Signs of diffuse changes

The pancreas plays a very important role in the body. It performs an endocrine function by producing insulin, which enables the body to control blood sugar levels. The pancreas also performs an exocrine function. In this case, the body produces certain enzymes, such as:

• trypsin, which allows you to break down peptides and proteins, as well as participating in the hydrolysis of esters;
• lipase, which is part of pancreatic juice and is able to break down fats;
• amylase breaks down carbohydrates in the body;
• proteases break down proteins;
• lactase, which performs the function of hydrolysis, during which lactose molecules are converted into galactose and glucose molecules.

Signs of diffuse changes in the pancreas usually manifest themselves in the form of focal inflammation, the appearance of a tumor or cyst, and the formation of stones. Due to which the structure of the pancreas undergoes various changes:

1. Diffuse changes in the pancreas, occurring due to a decrease in its density (a heterogeneous structure is formed), violations of echogenicity and an increase in the pancreas. Typically, such symptoms are characteristic of a disease such as acute pancreatitis. The inflammatory process is caused by certain provoking factors, under the influence of which proteolytic enzymes begin to be actively produced.
2. Diffuse changes in the pancreas, which occur due to an increase in the amount of fatty deposits, are a sign of lipomatosis. This disease can occur due to an infectious lesion, a malignant tumor, diabetes mellitus and alcoholism. Such changes in the pancreas are more often observed in older people and are often hereditary. In order not to harm your health during treatment, you need to adhere to a certain diet and lead a proper lifestyle.
3. Changes in the pancreas, occurring with the compaction of its tissue and a decrease in its size, can occur with fibrosis of the gland. Fibrosis is not a separate disease, but is a pathological change in an organ in chronic pancreatitis. In the place where there is a diffuse change in the pancreas, due to inflammation, the part of the organ dies off. And over time, the damaged areas are enveloped by fibrous tissue.
4. Diffuse changes in the pancreas, contributing to a decrease in tissue density, but maintaining the normal size of the gland, are characteristic of such a disease as chronic pancreatitis. It can manifest itself in the form of periodic, and sometimes constant pain. Chronic pancreatitis is dangerous because of irreversible pathological changes in the pancreatic parenchyma. Treatment of this disease requires a strict diet that excludes fatty foods.

Causes of pathology

The reasons causing changes in the pancreas can be both in small diffuse deviations, which become the first bell that violations have occurred in the gastrointestinal tract, and can be characteristic signs of pancreatitis, inflammation of the gallbladder, fibrosis development. Moderate diffuse changes in the pancreas indicate that the body has disorders in the gastric and intestinal sections. In this case, swelling of the organs may be observed.

The occurrence of diffuse changes in the pancreas is manifested in the metabolic-dystrophic processes of the body, in circulatory disorders, in diseases of the endocrine system, there is a malfunction in the biliary tract and liver.

Some patients with pancreatic pathology may develop lipomatosis - an irreversible process of proliferation of fat cells due to an imbalance in metabolism. It can be detected with an ultrasound. Due to the occurrence of this disease, the iron is not able to fully perform its function. The appearance of dry mouth, the occurrence of ulcers, general fatigue of the body can be the first signs of lipomatosis. When the disease begins to progress, abdominal pain, indigestion, and vomiting are felt. Treatment is carried out in a conservative way, when the foci are small and do not compress the parenchyma and ducts. In case of detection of large foci, surgical intervention will be required. After carrying out any therapy, it will be necessary to adhere to a certain diet and lose extra pounds.

The main signs of any changes in the pancreas may well be:

• irregular meals, as well as excessive consumption of fried, spicy, salty, sweet and fatty foods;
• disturbances in the work of other organs of the gastrointestinal tract;
• the use of a large number of medicines;
• frequent stress, panic;
• alcohol abuse;
• the disorder may be hereditary;
• old age of a person.

In people with diabetes, there is a lack of insulin production in the body, which often causes diffuse changes in the pancreas. Signs of diabetes are expressed in an increase in blood sugar levels, and when passing urine tests, glucose is detected. Such a disease requires special treatment and an appropriate diet.

The acute and chronic form of pancreatitis due to its inflammation can have obvious diffuse changes in the pancreas.

Only a specialist should choose the right treatment. In no case should you self-medicate, because. the inflammatory process, especially in acute pancreatitis, can be life-threatening. The following factors can cause the inflammatory process:

• improper metabolism in the body;
• diseases of the vascular system;
• hormonal disorders;
• duodenal ulcer;
• side effects of medicines;
• abdominal trauma;
• the appearance in the body of pinworms or ascaris, etc.

Symptoms of the disease

The main symptoms leading to diffuse changes in the pancreas often manifest themselves as a disruption of the stomach, causing frequent disorders in it, such as diarrhea or, conversely, constipation. At the same time, constant fatigue and lethargy, pain are felt.

Each disease is characterized by certain diffuse changes in the pancreas. The occurrence of these changes becomes the main cause of the disease. The main symptoms are:

1. Acute pancreatitis forms an onslaught on the duct, which creates changes in the pancreas by damaging it. Gastric juice, getting on other tissues, begins to corrode them, and this leads to a feeling of severe pain in the left hypochondrium, nausea, increased heart rate and impaired blood pressure.
2. Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by swelling with a small release of blood, which occurs due to damage to the pancreas. Over time, there is a change in the pancreas: it begins to decrease. Accordingly, this will lead to a decrease in the production of gastric juice, which will cause a feeling of pain.
3. When fibrosis becomes the cause of diffuse changes in the pancreas, no abnormalities are observed at the initial stage of the disease. At this time, there is a gradual replacement of normal gland tissues with connective ones. This contributes to the disruption of metabolic processes in digestion. This disease begins to manifest itself as a disorder in the digestive system, pain in the left hypochondrium and a sharp weight loss. The body cannot produce enough insulin, resulting in a risk of developing a disease such as diabetes mellitus.
4. Changes in the pancreas that have arisen due to lipomatosis will lead to an irreversible process. It is impossible to get rid of this disease on your own. It should be mandatory to see a doctor. With lipomatosis, treatment will depend on the degree of damage to the pancreas. The first degree is when 1/3 of the gland is affected, the second - when half of the gland is affected, and the third degree - when the fatty lesion occupies more than 60% of the surface. This may require surgery.

Diagnostics

The pancreas is an important organ in the digestive system. It has an exocrine (external) function, responsible for secreting a certain amount of pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes, and an endocrine (internal) function, responsible for the production of certain hormones in the body, as well as for the regulation of fats, proteins and carbohydrates in the body.

When dysfunction and changes occur in the pancreas, ultrasound can help. She is able to give an accurate conclusion about the causes of this disease. These reasons may be focal processes in the gland, the formation of cysts or stones.

The inconvenient location of the pancreas behind the stomach on the posterior abdominal wall and partially extending towards the left hypochondrium makes it rather difficult to obtain a qualitative ultrasound result. The accumulation of gases often interferes with the normal view of the inflamed organ.

When pain occurs above the navel in the right hypochondrium, it means that the inflammatory process comes from the head of the gland. When pain is felt on the left side, it means that the tail is inflamed. If the pain covers the entire upper abdomen, then the entire pancreas is affected. After palpation, having studied laboratory tests, the doctor evaluates the shape and size of the pancreas, how diffusely its heterogeneous structure is. Thus, the homogeneity of the parenchyma and the presence of formations are determined.

X-rays are taken to determine how much the pancreas has enlarged. Magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography will allow you to examine internal tissues and organs. This will make it possible to detect the presence of pancreatic necrosis (necrosis of part of the pancreas) or the formation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Ultrasound will provide an opportunity to examine the general structure and detect abnormalities in the abdominal organs. Only after that the doctor makes the main conclusion and prescribes the appropriate treatment.

How is the treatment carried out

When a diffuse change has occurred and the body suffers from a number of diseases, then first of all you need to follow a strict diet. You should adhere to proper nutrition: include in your diet low-calorie foods, vegetables and fruits, dairy and grain products. And it is necessary to exclude smoked, salty, spicy and fried foods from the diet. You should eat in small portions, without overeating and adjusting foods. Broths must be included in the menu daily.

A healthy diet will make it possible not to burden the body with fatty and high-calorie foods. When switching to dietary nutrition, one must not forget about steaming dishes. They retain all the nutritional properties, vitamins and minerals, unlike boiled food, and do not irritate the gastrointestinal tract.

Rational fractional nutrition, refusal of alcohol and smoking, the use of herbal infusions and teas will enable the body to recover and function normally. Regular examination of the body and properly selected treatment will keep the pancreas normal.

Diffuse changes in the pancreas are signs of the presence of the disease, which can be detected using ultrasound. It is also possible to determine changes in the echo structure of the entire gland, which are accompanied by changes in size.

These changes are not considered an independent diagnosis, but only speak of pathology, presenting it as a separate symptom. The presence of such changes indicates a decrease in the size of the gland or a compaction of the structure of its tissue. This is provoked by inflammation, sclerosis, and can also be a harbinger of aging without being associated with any diseases.

How to treat diffuse changes in the pancreas?

The need for and volume of treatment is determined by the attending physician. When there are no symptoms that are characteristic of gland diseases, therapy is not required, but it is necessary to continue the study for the presence of a cyst or neoplasm.

Treatment of the pancreas is carried out only if there are complaints characteristic of diseases of the digestive tract and after confirmation of the diagnosis. Therapy in this situation is aimed at correcting the main disease.

Treatment of acute pancreatitis

1. During the acute form of pancreatitis, the gland must be allowed to rest.
2. For these purposes, food is reduced or completely canceled for a certain period of time.
3. To reduce inflammation, ordinary nutrition is replaced by intravenous. In such a situation, the symptoms of malfunctions in the functioning of the gland should decrease.

To remove the causes of the disease, in certain cases, surgery is used to remove stones that block the bile duct connecting the gland, gallbladder and duodenum 12.

Treatment of chronic pancreatitis

During chronic manifestations of pancreatitis, in the absence of exacerbations, the patient may experience dull pain, constipation, nausea, poor digestion of fats, and intense stools may appear. In chronic pancreatitis, the gland tissue is destroyed over a long period of time.

A complete cure does not occur and the main task of specialists is to prevent further destruction of the gland:

• An important role is played by diet in inflammation of the pancreas.
• Eliminate caffeine and alcoholic beverages
• eat light meals with a low concentration of fats,
• take vitamins,
• treat diabetes, if present.

Treatment of spasmodic smooth muscle of the ducts of the gland

To relax the spasmodic smooth muscles of the gland pathways, antispasmodics (no-shpa, platifilin) ​​are prescribed. This helps to improve the outflow of pancreatic juice, which contains enzymes, into the intestines.

To reduce the production of digestive enzymes, atropine is used, local therapy as cold on the site of the gland. Black elderberry is characterized by a slight choleretic and antipyretic effect, reduces muscle spasm. Elderberry inflorescences are included in many collections.

Treatment of sclerosis of the pancreatic parenchyma

Moderate diffuse changes in the pancreatic parenchyma may indicate the replacement of glandular tissue with scars or fat cells.

When sclerosis of the parenchyma progresses and is associated with a severe deficiency of enzymes:

• Protein is administered intravenously.
• Introduce nutrition from amino acids.
• Prescribe vitamins and hormones that improve anabolism.
• Drug therapy is used only in the fight against pathology.
• Assign enzymes. These drugs are taken with food. Thus the patient somewhat compensates for the impossibility of the gland to produce the required number of its digestive enzymes.

Treatment of fibrosis of the pancreas

It is necessary to treat gland fibrosis in order to replenish intra- and exocrine insufficiency:

• Assign a diet No 5p, which includes stimulating the secretion of enzymes, foods with a high concentration of proteins.
• Limit carbohydrates.
• When cachexia is expressed parenteral meals.
• Etiotropic therapy is to eliminate the causes of the pathology (to exclude the use of alcoholic beverages, the implementation of cholecystectomy during cholelithiasis, surgical operation of papillostenosis).

To replace exocrine insufficiency, enzymes are prescribed: pancreatin, creon, lipase and others. When the insufficiency is absolute, then such drugs are used regularly in the highest doses. The criterion for the effectiveness of such treatment is to stop weight loss, reduce dyspepsia, and eliminate diarrhea.

Correction of carbohydrate metabolism failures is carried out:

• With the help of oral hypoglycemic agents;
• Rarely, insulin treatment is needed.
• When there are no exacerbations of the disease, treatment in sanatoriums or resorts is recommended.
• Surgery. When pain is expressed, conservative treatment is ineffective, weight is rapidly lost, constant relapses of pancreatitis.

Treatment of lipomatosis

Most often they try to treat with conservative methods.

These include:

• Revision and adjustment of nutrition.
• Counteracting overweight.
• Eliminate bad habits: smoking, drinking alcohol.
• Active lifestyle.

In addition to the above, additional treatment is prescribed, aimed at normalizing digestion and in order to restore the lack of hormones.

Conservative therapy refers to the treatment of associated diseases:

• Hepatitis.
• Disease of the thyroid gland.
• Therapy during diabetes.

When conservative therapy does not give the desired effect, the areas of lipomatosis are eliminated by surgical intervention.

Diet food

• Nutrition during the period of diffuse changes is adjusted according to the diagnosis being established.
• Treatment is long and requires strict adherence to dietary recommendations.
• Regardless of the disease, a patient with such changes should remember that the pancreas, in principle, does not perceive alcohol. Alcohol consumption leads to acute forms of the disease and worsens the overall tone.
• It is necessary to follow a low-calorie diet, where the main role is played by plant foods, cereals and sour milk.
• Smoked meats, pickles and spices, which enhance taste and appetite, should be completely removed.
• Food should become moderate, prevent intense secretion of juices, as this provokes attacks of pancreatitis.
• This symptom may indicate progressive diabetes mellitus. You also need to completely remove easily digestible carbohydrates from the menu: sweets, some fruits.
• Diet food should include cereals and vegetable dishes. Food is adjusted depending on the disease that led to these changes inside the organ.

Forbidden food:

• Alcohol in any dose.
• Spicy, fatty, sweet, salty, fried, smoked foods.
• Juice in a package, canned food, spices, sausages.

Allowed food:

• Vegetable dishes and fruits (citrus fruits should be reduced as they contain a lot of sugar).
• Lean meats and fish.
• Dairy and dairy products.
• Cereal products, cereals.

Other tips:

• Portions should be kept small.
• It is advised to eat often, but little by little.
• Cooking food should be steamed;
• Overeating is prohibited.
• Salty intake leads to the deposition of salts in the tissues, so it is advisable to remove it from the menu.

About that, read here.

Causes of diffuse changes

The reasons for such changes in the gland are diverse. Often they occur during metabolic-dystrophic processes. It also develops during a malfunction in the blood circulation in this area, with diseases of the endocrine system, malfunctions of the bile ducts and liver.

In old age and in people with diabetes, pancreatic tissue becomes smaller in size. The deficiency is filled with adipose tissue. Such changes are not pathological and do not require treatment.. But after ultrasound, diffuse changes in the gland with increased echogenicity are diagnosed with normal dimensions.

This can also be observed during the uniform replacement of the destroyed tissue of the gland with connective tissue. Body dimensions are normal or slightly smaller. A similar pathology appears in connection with chronic metabolic-dystrophic disorders or during an acute form of pancreatitis. If this disease is not confirmed, then such changes do not need treatment.

The causes of various changes in the gland are:

• Inappropriate diet, excessive intake of spicy, sweet, salty, floury, fatty foods.
• Constant stress and genetic disposition.
• Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, smoking.
• Diseases of the digestive tract.
• Incorrect use of medications.

Often such changes appear in diabetics due to a lack of insulin production. The concentration of sugar in the bloodstream increases, and glucose enters the urine. In such a situation, special therapy is needed to eliminate the underlying disease.

It is necessary to remember about the acute and chronic form of pancreatitis, leading to these changes in the gland and requiring treatment.

Signs and symptoms of changes

Signs of diffuse changes in the pancreas are associated with the underlying ailment that led to the occurrence of this phenomenon. The main symptoms are as follows:

• Decreased appetite;
• Persistent constipation and diarrhea;
• Feeling of heaviness in the stomach.

For acute pancreatitis

During the acute form of pancreatitis, high pressure can build up in the pancreatic ducts, which can cause damage and release of digestive enzymes through the tissues of the organ. This can cause destruction of the tissues of the gland and provokes intoxication.

The person feels:

• Sharp pain near the left hypochondrium;
• Regular gag reflex
• Nausea.
• Symptoms of progressive heart palpitations
• Low blood pressure.

The patient does not get better, sometimes intensive care or surgery may be needed.

During the chronic form of pancreatitis, the pathology becomes more protracted:

1. At the preliminary stage, the gland is damaged, which leads to edema and minor hemorrhage.
2. After, the gland becomes smaller and sclerosis occurs, leading to malfunctions in the production of enzymes.
3. In the process of the development of the disease, the patient experiences pronounced pain.

Early stages of pancreatic fibrosis

• When diffuse changes are provoked by fibrosis, then at the initial stage of the disease there is no pathology. During fibrous inflammation, the normal tissue of the organ is replaced by connective tissue. This can lead to a decrease in the production of enzymes and hormones that support the processes of metabolism and digestion within the body.
• At the next stage, the pathology of the disease is similar to the symptoms of pancreatitis. The patient feels constant pain near the left hypochondrium and nausea.
• Due to the lack of enzymes, nausea, diarrhea, gag reflex, sudden weight loss occur.
• Then, as a result of the depletion of protein reserves, an allergy occurs in the body and malfunctions in the production of insulin, which leads to diabetes.

With lipomatosis of the pancreas

When changes in the pancreas are provoked by lipomatosis, this will be an irreversible process. Healthy tissues of the organ are replaced by adipose tissue.

Due to the fact that fat cells are not able to perform the functions of the digestive glands, the body feels a lack of substances required for proper functioning.

The pathology of lipomatosis depends entirely on the severity of these changes in the gland. Thus, when the disease is characterized by a limited spread of the focus of symptoms, the process will proceed without symptoms.

During uncontrolled progression, the parenchyma is compressed by a large accumulation of adipose tissue, which provokes pain and leads to malfunctions in the functioning of the gland.

Diagnostics

To know how to treat diffuse changes in the pancreas, you need to make the correct diagnosis. Diffuse changes in the gland can be diagnosed using ultrasound. Using this method, the specialist detects an increase or decrease in tissue density, a change in uniformity, and the detection of foci of inflammation. But it is possible to finally verify these changes only by using additional examinations.

About that, read here.

The patient is doing:

• Blood chemistry;
• Endoscopic diagnostics;
• The specialist can collect an anamnesis, starting from the claims of the patient.
• Mandatory palpation of the gland with fingers
• Research with tools.

Diagnosis of such changes includes:

• Detection of the concentration of enzymes and the content of glucose in the bloodstream.
• General blood analysis.
• Detection of enzymes in urine and inhibitor/trypsin ratio.
• Ultrasound of the pancreas (dimensions, the presence of seals and edema, the general condition of the viral pathways).
• Implementation of CT and ERCP.

To verify the presence of inflammatory and pathological processes, you need to undergo an ultrasound examination. On ultrasound, it is informative and clearly determines the size, whether the gland is enlarged, whether there is a change in the tissue layer of the organ (if it is heterogeneous), the presence of tumors and neoplasms. Clarify the symptomatic picture with the doctor, if changes in the pancreas appear against the background of general malaise, it means that the inflammatory process is still taking place. The patient feels discomfort in the peritoneum and nausea after eating. Even after long-term treatment of acute pancreatitis, the patient remains forever vulnerable to alcohol and fatty foods.

If you have not suffered from this syndrome before, then you should carefully consider this note. Donate blood for biochemical affiliation, and also go for an ultrasound scan to exclude oncological formations.

Not always pancreatitis and changes in the pancreas are interconnected, as a person can eat right, lead a healthy lifestyle. Severe rehabilitation after surgery, trauma to the peritoneum and inflammatory processes in neighboring organs of the gastrointestinal tract can cause diffuse changes in the structure. In this case, experts consider how much the walls of the gland were deformed, and to what extent. In small areas, the connected epithelium is removed and cauterized. If the glandular tissue has all become connective, then apart from local support with medicines, nothing can help. Moderate changes are also rehabilitated with the help of complex treatment, using biologically active supplements with the necessary enzymes. These components are extracted from the pancreas of specially bred animals to compensate for the flavonoids and phospholipids in the enzyme secretion.

Since adaptation after chronic pancreatitis clearly shows the overall picture of the diagnosis during treatment, further biochemical blood tests and studies show whether changes in the pancreas have remained, how effectively it was possible to get rid of the disease. The patient is prescribed a strict diet, which has the following sub-items:

• complete rejection of alcoholic beverages, smoking mixtures and tobacco;
• exclude all fried, fatty, smoked;
• do not eat flour and confectionery products;
• avoid carbonated sugary drinks, especially those with dyes;
• you can not drink grape juice, coffee.

With pancreatitis, there is a diet, the bottom line is that the products are boiled or steamed. For example, low-fat baked fish with boiled porridge Artek is one of the sub-items of the gastroenterology menu.

The damage from moderate changes in the pancreas is very insignificant if the patient does not have concomitant inflammation, complications of the gastrointestinal tract, or closely located in the peritoneum.

Heterogeneous inflammation and fibrosis

In some cases of pathology, acute changes in the pancreas occur when a person lives and does not know that he has little enzyme secretion. From this, already in advanced stages, a symptomatic picture begins, against which frequent defecation and diarrhea alternate with constipation and flatulence. You need to clearly understand that any changes are not yet a 100% diagnosis or conclusion. This is only a consequence of an ultrasound test, where the condition and structure of the gland, its deviations from the norm and pathological features are detected. It is important to undergo a full range of examinations to make sure that there is no chronic pancreatitis. When children complain of pain in the left side under the ribs, take the baby to a gastroenterologist for a checkup. Changes in the pancreas in a child can proceed in a chronic way due to the lack of a proper and nutritious diet.

The tissues of the pancreas are arranged in such a way that the walls are not of the connective type, but of the parenchymal type. That's why experts advise you to eat right. After all, harmful substances literally burn the mucous membrane and flora inside the pancreas, causing inflammation and fibrosis. The heterogeneity of the structure during the study gives out certain violations within the organ, which requires further action. Fibrous formations - a brighter stage of deviations, the appearance of adhesions and scars, tissue irregularities. Seals inflame everything around them, from which acute attacks of pain appear, encircling around the peritoneum. If you've been experiencing these symptoms lately, it's time to visit a specialist:

• decreased appetite, discomfort after eating;
• frequent bouts of nausea, sharp pains in the abdomen after eating;
• problems with stool and bowel movements (constipation, diarrhea);
• excessive flatulence;
• apathy, fatigue, malaise, weakness.

Changes in the pancreas cannot be ignored, because the acute course of inflammation can lead to acute and chronic pancreatitis.

A constant feeling of heaviness and bloating after eating indicates that your pancreas has received changes due to a violation of the secretory background. Destroyed alpha and beta cells can not cope with the usual human diet. The level of insulin changes unevenly, the lack of trace elements - all this leads to a general malaise of the body, a lack of enzymes. Changes in the pancreatic parenchyma occur not only in drinkers or smokers. Fans of tasty and fatty food most often suffer from pancreatitis, as well as obesity. Diseases of the gallbladder and liver can cause inflammation of the pancreas in an absolutely healthy person, which in itself is dangerous by total infection of the peritoneum.

Do you often feel nauseous in the morning? If the pancreas hurts at the same time, the changes in the parenchyma are in most cases irreversible. Such symptoms clearly signal the presence of an inflammatory process, to identify the cause of which should be further examined.

Changes in the structure of the pancreas - this is still a small idea of ​​the inflammatory process. Detailed analyzes for biochemical components, as well as ESR, sugar and cholesterol, will help to more clearly compose a comprehensive treatment.

Treatment and prevention of inflamed parenchyma

Pancreatic parenchyma - glandular tissue

Before proceeding with treatment, a clear diagnosis is needed, and while it is absent, you can limit yourself to ordinary vitamins. There is such a product as Jerusalem artichoke, at first glance, nothing special, "sweet potato", however, the active biochemical compounds of this root crop have healing properties and positively affect the change in the pancreas in a child. For an adult, biologists use similar active additives, only based on animal origin.

When changes appear in the pancreas, treatment should be prescribed only when the specialist has a complete picture of the disease, but for now these are just signals of inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

The liver in the human body plays the role of a kind of filter through which blood passes and is cleansed of toxins. By nature, this gland is designed so that the liver cells are devoid of nerve endings. That is why the liver tissue itself cannot get sick.

Most diseases in the liver are asymptomatic. This happens until the size of the liver becomes greatly enlarged. The enlarged organ stretches the capsule that covers the liver, affecting the numerous nerve endings located in it.

Then the person begins to experience pain in the liver area (), but this can take years. For a long time, you may not know that the liver is suffering and needs help. Compensatory abilities of the body are enormous. Often, pathological changes are detected by chance during an ultrasound examination of other organs.

Diffuse changes in the liver, what is it?

The concept of "diffuse changes" is not a diagnosis and does not reveal the essence of the process that develops in the organ. This term is used by doctors - diagnosticians when conducting ultrasound diagnostics.

What it is? Diffuse changes in the liver is a change in the structure of the tissue, which is distributed throughout the organ relatively evenly. This is how many diseases can manifest. The doctor conducting the ultrasound - the study sees these changes in the form of an increase or decrease in the echogenicity of the liver tissue.

The conclusion made after the ultrasound is the starting point for additional methods for examining the liver and identifying a particular disease.

The cause of diffuse changes in the liver may be diseases that affect the hepatic parenchyma. These can be inflammatory diseases of the liver of a viral nature (hepatitis), fatty degeneration of hepatocytes due to alcohol intoxication, in case of poisoning, with prolonged use of potent drugs.

The structure of the liver can be impaired due to autoimmune diseases, with cirrhosis of the liver of any origin, infiltrating tumors.

Also, changes in liver tissue can occur if the diet is not followed and if fatty, fried foods are consumed excessively. Less commonly, changes are congenital.

Signs of diffuse liver changes

As mentioned above, liver diseases can be asymptomatic for a long time. The liver can give signs, but rarely they are regarded properly.

Signs of diffuse changes in the liver can clinically manifest as heaviness in the right hypochondrium, headache, fatigue, stool disorders, loss of appetite, bitter taste in the mouth, bad breath.

The appearance can also indicate problems in the liver: the skin becomes unhealthy in color with a yellow or brown tint, in some cases there is a loss of body weight.

Diffuse liver changes in ultrasound diagnostics

One of the most affordable and non-invasive methods for examining the liver is ultrasound. An ultrasound machine is available in every medical and diagnostic institution.

The method is also good because it does not require long preparation. The patient only needs to follow a diet a couple of days before the study, aimed at reducing gas formation in the intestines. Gas bubbles distort the real picture and interfere with the view of the organs.

The study should be conducted by a doctor who has an education and a certificate in this narrow specialty.

Consider what diffuse changes a doctor can detect during an ultrasound of the liver.

healthy liver

If the human liver is absolutely healthy, then with ultrasound diagnostics it has normal sizes, smooth edges. Echogenicity of the liver should normally be of low intensity. In the locations of the vessels, echogenicity is reduced.

The structure should be uniform throughout the organ with fine granularity characteristic of the liver.

Changes in fatty liver disease

Fatty hepatosis is a condition in which fat is deposited in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. This is a very common occurrence in alcohol intoxication, obesity, diabetes.

Diffuse fatty changes in the liver cells on ultrasound are recorded as an increase in the echo signal over the entire area of ​​the organ. The liver is enlarged and has rounded edges. Sometimes diffuse changes in the liver are combined with changes in the pancreas and spleen.

If fatty liver is left untreated, then in the future it can develop into cirrhosis of the liver.

In cirrhosis, the liver tissue sprouts with connective tissue, which forms false liver lobules. The liver becomes dense, with an uneven surface, hepatocytes of different sizes - some are compensatory enlarged, some are in a state of atrophy. Rough connective tissue grows in place of dead hepatocytes.

An ultrasound reveals the following:

1. An increase in the echo signal is noted. The liver tissue has a mosaic appearance.
2. The dimensions of the organ are increased (in the last stage of the disease, on the contrary, they are reduced).
3. The surface of the liver is bumpy due to the formation of nodes.
4. The vascular pattern changes: the portal vein has a thickened wall, numerous collaterals are found.

Ultrasound signs of hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory change in the liver caused by viruses, alcohol, toxins, etc. Hepatitis can be acute or chronic. Ultrasound signs of hepatitis are nonspecific. The doctor has the right to make a diagnosis only after conducting appropriate tests.

In acute and chronic hepatitis, an increase in the echo signal is noted. The liver is enlarged. The parenchyma may be homogeneous or with foci of heterogeneity.

Due to the fact that it is difficult to make an accurate diagnosis based on the results of an ultrasound examination alone, the doctor who conducted the study, in conclusion, indicates only the nature of the changes seen: diffuse or focal changes in the liver tissue.

In the future, the patient must undergo a more detailed diagnosis to clarify the diagnosis.

Before thinking about how to treat changes in liver tissue, the doctor must figure out what disease led to these changes. To do this, he must conduct additional analyzes and studies. Only after a clinical diagnosis is made, treatment is prescribed.

Whether treatment will be successful depends on the nature of the disease and the degree of change in liver tissue. Moderate diffuse changes in the liver tissue are detected in a large number of people. More often, their appearance is associated with malnutrition, alcohol intake, smoking, and poor ecology.

In most cases, diffuse changes respond well to treatment. For example, diffuse changes in the liver parenchyma, proceeding according to the type of fatty hepatosis, can be eliminated.

It is enough to completely exclude the cause leading to obesity of hepatocytes. Studies have shown that fatty degeneration of hepatocytes caused by alcohol intoxication, with the exclusion of a provoking factor, is capable of reverse development. Already after 6 months, hepatocytes, containing fat drops in their cytoplasm, become absolutely healthy.

This applies not only to alcohol, but fatty liver due to malnutrition. It is necessary to adhere to a diet so that fat ceases to be deposited in the liver cells.

There are situations when a patient is forced to take complex drugs that have a toxic effect on hepatocytes for a long time. Often this is observed in the treatment of serious diseases that require long-term therapy, for example, in tuberculosis or tumor processes.

In this case, the appearance of changes in the liver tissue is inevitable. To prevent liver damage, the doctor prescribes hepatoprotective drugs. Drugs of this group are able to form a protective membrane on the surface of the liver cell, protecting it from toxic damage.

Treatment for viral diseases will also be effective, it is enough to take a course of antiviral therapy. It is important to consult a doctor when changes in the tissue have not yet gone far, and the structure of the liver has not undergone deformations.

It is clear that with cirrhosis or a diffuse tumor process it is quite difficult and almost impossible to return the liver to its previous structure. But with a timely visit to the doctor, you can stop the pathological process, and save the patient's life.

Do not be afraid when you see the phrase "diffuse changes" in the conclusion. Sometimes it even benefits the patient. So, if mild or moderate changes are detected, there is a chance for a complete cure and prevention of the development of severe liver diseases with a pronounced violation of the structure and function of the organ.

Often, during an ultrasound scan of the pancreas, diffuse changes in it are detected, these can be moderate diffuse changes in the pancreas. Many are concerned about the question of what harm this can bring to health.

You need to know that such changes are not a diagnosis, but only the conclusion of an ultrasound scan. Under the influence of various factors, the ultrasonic structure of the entire organ can evenly change. The severity of these processes varies.

Diffuse changes in the pancreas indicate that there are no focal processes in the gland, that is, stones, tumors or cysts. The final diagnosis can only be made by the attending physician, based on the clinical picture, patient complaints, ultrasound results and other tests.

The pancreas is an organ of the endocrine and digestive systems. It is located on the posterior abdominal wall behind the stomach and slightly extends into the region of the left hypochondrium. Conventionally, three parts of the gland are distinguished - the head, body and tail. The main part of the organ performs the function of external secretion - enzymes for the digestion of food into the duodenum through the excretory ducts.

The endocrine part consists of pancreatic islets, which are located mainly in the tail of the gland, and produces the following hormones:

• glucagon and insulin - they have the opposite effect, due to which they regulate the concentration of glucose in the blood;
• somatostatin - suppresses the secretory function of other glands;
• pancreatic polypeptide - promotes the formation of gastric juice, and inhibits the enzymatic activity of the pancreas;
• Ghrelin - increases appetite.

During ultrasound, the size of the pancreas, its shape, the presence of volumetric structures, tissue homogeneity, and diffuse changes in the pancreas are evaluated. Ultrasound is quite difficult to perform, because the gland is located behind the stomach and intestines, which contain gases. Therefore, the day before the study, you need to follow a diet aimed at reducing gas formation.

During the examination itself, the doctor evaluates the density of the echo gland structure, (echogenicity), which can be evenly increased, or, conversely, reduced.

In such cases, it is noted that diffuse changes and changes in the parenchyma have begun in the pancreas. Due to the fact that it has a close relationship with the gallbladder and liver, all changes in their structure necessarily affect its condition, and vice versa, they may appear compacted.

In order to clarify the preliminary diagnosis, and notice signs of diffuse changes in the pancreas and parenchyma, it is necessary to pass urine, feces and blood tests, as well as to perform endoscopy of the digestive tract.

Diffuse changes in the pancreas and parenchyma, the main causes:

1. improper diet and diet containing a large amount of salty, fatty, spicy, floury and sweet foods;
2. excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, leads to the fact that there is a seal;
3. chronic stress;
4. uncontrolled use of medicines;
5. hereditary factor;
6. diseases of other organs of the gastrointestinal tract, in which the diet is also not observed;
7. advanced age.

Diffuse changes in the pancreas, and thickening on the echo, are often noted in people with diabetes mellitus, in which insulin production is reduced. These processes lead to an increase in blood sugar and the detection of glucose in the urine, regardless of whether there is a diet and what the echo shows.

Such a change and compaction have no specific treatment, since therapy should be aimed at correcting the underlying disease, and this is already a diet and other measures.

Why diffuse changes in the pancreas can begin

In older people, atrophy of the gland and a decrease in its size can be observed. At the same time, the echogenicity of the organ remains normal, and can also be increased or decreased. Patients do not complain about anything and they do not need any treatment.

Diffuse changes can also occur with pancreatitis, what is it - an inflammatory disease of the pancreas. With this disease, digestive enzymes show their activity inside the organ itself and digest it. By the way. it is useful to know, and what can be, along with the consideration of pancreatic problems.

During this process, toxic substances and enzymes are released that enter the general circulation and lead to the destruction of other organs and systems, such as the lungs, kidneys, brain, heart, and here the diet no longer helps.

The greatest danger is acute pancreatitis, which is determined by both symptoms and echo. Patients complain of a sharp girdle pain under the ribs, vomiting, their temperature rises, the pulse quickens, and cyanotic spots appear on the abdomen.

When pus enters the abdominal cavity, a person loses consciousness, he develops sepsis, which can lead to death. Such cases require urgent surgical treatment.

In acute pancreatitis, ultrasound shows that the gland is enlarged, has a fuzzy structure and reduced echo signs, which means that sometimes there is an expansion of the ducts, the appearance of fluid around the organ, as well as areas of necrosis.

Chronic pancreatitis has pronounced manifestations. Usually such patients feel heaviness after eating and pain in the left hypochondrium, they develop flatulence, nausea and bitterness in the mouth, if the diet is also not followed. In the early stages, ultrasound shows that the gland is of normal size, which means that its echo is reduced. The edges of the organ are uneven, and the duct becomes tortuous and expands, and sealing may also occur.

If the process begins to progress, then cysts and calcifications are found in the parenchymal tissue of the organ, and areas of fibrosis with increased echo appear, which have an irregular shape.

Treatment of pancreatitis must be accompanied by a change in lifestyle, and a diet is also required. Drug therapy is aimed at eliminating pain, antispasmodics and anti-enzyme drugs are prescribed, and the body is detoxified. If necessary, surgical intervention is performed.

As a result of chronic inflammatory processes in the pancreas, the development of fibrosis begins. This means that in this case there is an overgrowth of connective tissue, which comes to replace the damaged parenchyma.

Fibrosis of the parenchyma can begin with cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, primary siderophilia. At the same time, ultrasound examination shows that the size of the gland is normal, but its echo increases and the density of the parenchyma increases. If the patient does not make any complaints, then he does not need treatment.

Another factor that causes diffuse changes in the parenchyma is lipomatosis. This is the name of the growth of adipose tissue without a clear limitation, while the replacement of the organ's own tissue occurs. Lipomatosis can occur in older people or in people with diabetes. The dimensions of the pancreas remain normal, and the echogenicity increases, but there is no large compaction of the organ.