Verified By Apollo General Physician January 17, 2024
Pancreatitis is swelling of the pancreas. Pancreatitis can develop from a minor sore to a severe, even fatal ailment. You may experience back pain in addition to stomach pain if you have pancreatitis. The pancreas is an organ located between your stomach and spine. The primary capabilities of your pancreas are:
Digestion enzymes that begin to function earlier than your pancreas releases them might cause damage to your pancreas. When this organ gets inflamed, it doesn’t work right. This leads to many health problems.
Types of Pancreatitis
There are two types of pancreatitis: acute and chronic.
Acute Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is marked by an abrupt onset of swelling. It can be caused by your gall bladder stones, drinking too much alcohol, some drugs, sickness or trauma. The signs like extreme stomach discomfort, feeling sick and throwing up can show quickly and strongly. Quick medical help is very important to take care of acute pancreatitis and avoid complications. When given the right care, most people who have it get cured. In really bad cases of acute pancreatitis, it can lead to bleeding, excessive damage to the body’s tissue, infection, and cysts. Severe pancreatitis can also harm the heart, lungs and kidneys, besides affecting the pancreas.
Chronic Pancreatitis
In contrast, chronic pancreatitis is a long-term condition marked by ongoing inflammation that damages the pancreas. This form of pancreatitis often develops gradually and is linked to long-term alcohol abuse, cystic fibrosis, certain genetic factors, or repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis leads to irreversible damage to the pancreas, affecting its ability to function properly over time. The pancreas’ tissues become scarred (fibrosis) as a result of ongoing inflammation, preventing the organ from producing hormones and enzymes.
Symptoms of Pancreatitis
The most common symptom of either acute or chronic pancreatitis is discomfort in the middle-left upper abdomen. On diagnostic imaging scans, some patients with chronic pancreatitis may show signs of inflammation; nevertheless, they may not exhibit any other symptoms.
Acute Pancreatitis Symptoms:
Chronic Pancreatitis Symptoms:
When to See a Doctor
Seek emergency medical assistance if you experience chronic stomach discomfort, particularly if it’s severe or accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or fever. Early identification and treatment are essential to avoid complications and properly manage the illness.
What Causes Pancreatitis
Many of the causes of acute and chronic pancreatitis are similar. Among them are:
Pancreatitis risk factors
There are several risk factors that raise the probability of developing pancreatitis:
Complications of Pancreatitis
If left untreated or poorly managed, pancreatitis can result in severe complications:
How is pancreatitis diagnosed?
Diagnosing pancreatitis involves a series of tests and examinations to confirm the condition and determine its severity. The doctor treating you will review your medical history. A physical checkup will be conducted to assess abdominal tenderness, swelling, or jaundice. Several imaging and blood tests may also be performed, including:
Blood Tests: Analysing blood samples for elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes, such as amylase and lipase. Increased levels indicate pancreatic inflammation.
Imaging Studies
Stool Tests: Assessing stool samples for fat content helps determine if the pancreas is functioning properly in digesting fats.
Biopsy: Occasionally, a tissue sample from the pancreas may be collected for examination to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other conditions.
How is pancreatitis treated?
Treatment for pancreatitis focuses on alleviating symptoms, addressing the underlying cause, and preventing complications. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment methods may vary:
Pain Management: Severe, persistent pain is a common side effect of chronic pancreatitis. Your doctor will not only provide medication but also investigate the underlying causes or painful consequences of chronic pancreatitis. Injections to stop nerve impulses from the pancreas to the brain or surgeries to increase pancreatic outflow are possible forms of treatment. A pain expert could be recommended to you.
Fluid and Nutritional Support: Patients may require intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration and maintain electrolyte balance. In severe cases where eating is problematic, a feeding tube or nutritional supplements may be necessary.
Gallstones: It could be advised to have the gallbladder surgically removed if pancreatitis was brought on by gallstones. Cholecystectomy is the term for this operation.
Alcohol Dependency: An alcohol addiction treatment program is advised if pancreatitis is due to excessive alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol continuously makes pancreatitis worse and can have major consequences.
Alterations to medications: Your medical practitioner will collaborate with you to explore other choices if a medication is the likely cause of acute pancreatitis.
Percutaneous Drainage or Surgery: In cases of fluid collections or severe complications, drainage procedures or surgery might be necessary to remove the fluid or treat damaged pancreatic tissue.
Enzymes to facilitate better digestion: You may use pancreatic enzyme supplements if diarrhoea or weight loss are symptoms of chronic pancreatitis. These enzyme supplements, when taken with each meal, assist your body in utilising and breaking down the nutrients in food.
Lifestyle Changes: Adopting a low-fat diet, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight are crucial for managing pancreatitis and preventing recurrences.
Prevention of pancreatitis
Preventing pancreatitis involves adopting a healthy way of lifestyle and managing underlying risk factors to lessen the probability of infection within the pancreas:
Pancreatitis, whether acute or chronic, necessitates prompt medical attention. Seeking timely medical care and adopting a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk and impact of pancreatitis. By prioritising these lifestyle adjustments and managing underlying health conditions, individuals can significantly lower the risk of developing pancreatitis.
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