Pancreatitis is known as a disease that happens due to the inflammation of the pancreas.
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2. OVERVIEW
Pancreatitis is known as a disease that
happens due to the inflammation of the
pancreas.
The pancreas is an organ that is located
behind the stomach and close to the small
intestine. The pancreas has two main
functions:
It releases strong digestive enzymes to the
small intestines to digest food that you eat.
It also releases glucagon and insulin in the
blood circulation. These hormones facilitate
your body’s control of how it utilizes food for
energy.
These digestive enzymes can cause damage
to the pancreas if they start working before
your pancreas release them.
4. Types of Pancreatitis
In medical terms, there are two types of pancreatitis- acute and chronic.
• Acute Pancreatitis: It is an abrupt inflammation that can last for short while
and the intensity can be measured from mild uneasiness to a serious, life-
threatening sickness. The vast majority with acute pancreatitis gets recover after
the treatment. In serious cases, a patient may have bleeding, serious tissue
damage, cysts, and infection due to acute pancreatitis. It can also damage other
organs like the heart, kidney, and lungs.
• Chronic Pancreatitis: It’s another medical condition that can cause long-term
inflammation. This condition usually occurs after acute pancreatitis. Another
main reason for this chronic condition is the consumption of alcohol for a long
time. Symptoms may not be visible for a couple of years for the damage caused
to the pancreas due to heavy consumption of alcohol. However, an individual
may abruptly have serious symptoms of pancreatitis.
6. Acute pancreatitis Symptoms
• Higher heart pulse rate
• Fever, nausea, and vomiting
• Tender and swollen stomach
• An individual may experience pain in the upper section of the stomach
that moves into the back.
7. Chronic Pancreatitis Symptoms
An individual may experience similar symptoms of acute pancreatitis in
chronic pancreatitis condition. However, it also includes:
• Vomiting and upset stomach.
• A continuous pain in the upper section of the abdomen that moves to
your back and it may be hindering.
• Weight loss and diarrhea due to lack of discharge of enzymes produced
by the pancreas to break down food.
9. Causes of Acute Pancreatitis
• Consumption of excess alcohol
• Auto-immune disorder
• Metabolic disorder
• Gallstones
• Infections
• Medicines and Surgery
Approximately 10-15% of the individuals who have experienced acute
pancreatitis, causes are undetermined.
10. Causes of Chronic Pancreatitis
• Gallstones
• Alcohol consumption for a long-time
• Medicines
• Family medical history for pancreas disease
• Cystic fibrosis, and high triglycerides
According to Dr. Valeria Simone MD, (Southlake General Surgery,
Texas), for about 25-30 percent of individuals with chronic pancreatitis,
causes are undetermined. This condition is more common in men
between the age group 30-40 years.
12. There could be a serious complication of pancreatitis, that include:
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Pancreas infection
• Breathing issue due to changes in chemicals in the body that impact the
lungs
• Diabetes- in case there is damage to the cells that generate an insulin
• Damage to kidney or kidney failure
• Malnutrition due to the absence of digestive enzymes.
• Pancreatic necrosis is a medical condition where the tissue dies due to a
lack of blood supply to the pancreas.
• Pseudocysts is another medical condition in which fluid stores in the
pockets of the pancreas can burst and spread infection.
14. • Your doctor will possibly examine your abdomen for acute pancreatic
examination by pressing on the belly to check the tenderness and they
also check for low blood pressure, pulse rate, and fever.
• For the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, the doctor will suggest for a
blood test to check two digestive enzymes known as amylase and lipase.
An increased level of these enzymes states that you might have acute
pancreatitis. You also must go for a blood test to check White blood
cells (WBC), calcium, blood sugar, and liver function test (LFT).
• For chronic pancreatitis diagnosis, your doctor may prescribe for X-
ray or CT scan, or MRI to get the exact condition of the pancreas. You
will also prescribe for a blood test and stool test for excess fat, it is an
indication that your pancreas is not making ample enzymes to process
fat. You will also recommend for pancreatic function test to check the
functioning of the pancreas on releasing the digestive enzymes. You may
likewise be examined for diabetes.
16. Acute Pancreatitis Treatment
• If an individual has an acute pancreatitis attack, your doctor may suggest
medicines for pain. You might need to stay in the hospital for the treatment.
Your doctor may drain your stomach through a tube inserted from your nose. If
your pancreatitis attack is persistent, your doctor may connect an intravenous
tube to hydrate and feed you through the vein.
• Your treatment for acute pancreatitis may include:
• Fluids through an intravenous needle. You need to stay on a low-fat diet or stop
eating for quick recovery of the pancreas. Nutrition for your body will be given
through a feeding tube.
• Medicines for pain
• For infected pancreas your doctor will give you antibiotics.
17. For serious cases, treatment may include:
• Gallbladder surgery in case the problem is caused by gallstones.
• Pancreas surgery to remove the dead tissues and clear the fluid.
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): In this
procedure, your doctor inserts a tube through your throat down into the
stomach and upper intestines to clear the gallstones in case they are
creating obstructing the bile or pancreatic ducts.
18. Chronic Pancreatitis Treatment
For the treatment of chronic pancreatitis, your doctor looks for complications that may
affect your digestion and aim to treat pain to avoid any pain-killers addiction. You might
receive pancreatic enzyme replacement treatment to help the digestive tract function to
digest food. It will also help to forestall new attacks.
Your treatment may also include:
• Medicines for Pain
• Pancreatic enzymes strengthen your digestive tract to digest food.
• Insulin for diabetes treatment.
• Pancreas surgery to drain the fluid and remove the damaged tissues.
If the pain killer and other pain treatment along with medicines are not responding to your
condition, then your doctor will recommend a surgical procedure is required to remove
the dead pancreatic tissues.
19. Appointment
For more information on Pancreatitis – causes, symptoms, treatment,
surgery, and consultation with us. You can contact our healthcare
expert today at +1(817) 748-0200. You can also make an online
appointment with us.
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1545 E. Southlake Blvd, Suite 270 Southlake, TX 76092
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