Amylase is a special enzyme,which takes part in the breakdown of carbohydrates. This substance is produced in the pancreas and some other organs, for example, in the salivary glands. By determining the level of amylase in the blood, you can identify various diseases of the digestive system. An increase in the enzyme can be detected both in the analysis of urine and in the analysis of blood. If amylase is increased, it is considered an alarming symptom talking about diseases in the gastrointestinal tract and other organs.
Human blood contains two types of alpha amylase:S-type and P-type. Urine contains about 65% P-type, and blood - up to 60% S-type. To avoid confusion, the P-type alpha amylase in the urine is called diastase. The level of amylase in the urine is ten times higher than the activity of amylase in the blood.
Determine the concentration of amylase in the blood can behelp with biochemical blood analysis. To ensure that the result is as reliable as possible, it is recommended to take the test in the morning on an empty stomach, and not to drink alcohol before the test. The normal content of amylase in the blood, both in women and men, ranges from 25 to 125 U / l.
In the same way, the level of amylasepancreatic, the normative index of which is up to 50 U / l. Optimum, when the biochemistry of the blood pancreatic amylase tends to zero. This speaks not only about the excellent activity of the pancreas, but also about the absence of inflammatory and stagnant processes in it.
Determine the amylase in the urine can be with morning urine (medium dose). Before taking this test, it is worth noting the use of fatty and spicy food for several days.
Amylase is increased: the causes
The enzyme amylase is contained in the digestivetract and should not get into the blood. However, if an organ that contains amylase is damaged, it can enter the bloodstream. There can be many reasons for this: from the physiological ones associated with a particular disease, to mechanical ones (with strokes received in the abdominal region).
The increased content of this enzyme is one of the main indicators in the diagnosis of acute and chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
Also, the alpha amylase is increased in a tumor in thisiron or stones in its ducts that disrupt the outflow of the enzyme. At the initial stage of the course of the disease, the patient may not notice deterioration of well-being, however, if symptoms such as fever or abdominal pain that give in the back appear, doctors should be used as soon as possible.
An increase in the level of amylase may indicateand the disease of the salivary glands - the so-called "mumps" or epidemic parotitis. This viral disease is characterized by damage to the cells of the parotid salivary gland with the ingress of amylase into the blood. Its main signs are visible edema in the parotid part of the face, dry mouth, pain in the ears and fever. Basically, "mumps" is a disease that affects children.
Amylase is increased in the case of acute peritonitis orinflammation of the abdominal cavity, as well as with appendicitis. These diseases are characterized by nausea, vomiting, acute pain in the abdominal region, which is strengthened with pressure, as well as high fever and pronounced weakness.
The perforation of the stomach ulcer (duodenal ulcer), renal insufficiency, or diabetic acidosis may also be the cause of the increased blood amylase.
High activity of amylase in urine is observed wheninflammatory processes in the liver, cholecystitis and intestinal obstruction. Alcohol poisoning, ectopic pregnancy and complication of diabetes mellitus can also cause an increase in the indicator.
Amylase can also be increased by taking medications such as morphine, various diuretics and oral contraceptives.
