Description

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. Inflammation is the activity of the immune system that can cause swelling, pain, and changes in the form of an organ or tissue of work.

The pancreas is a long, flat gland that is hidden behind the stomach. The pancreas helps the body digest food and regulate blood sugar.

Pancreatitis can be an acute condition. This means that it comes on suddenly and usually lasts a short time. Chronic pancreatitis is a long-term condition. The damage to the pancreas can become worse with time.

Acute pancreatitis may improve by itself. More severe disease requires treatment in a hospital and can cause life-threatening complications.

Symptoms

The symptoms of pancreatitis may vary. Acute pancreatitis signs and symptoms may include:

  • Pain in the upper abdomen.
  • Pain in the upper abdomen that radiates to the back.
  • Sensitivity to touch the belly.
  • Fever.
  • Rapid pulse.
  • Upset stomach.
  • Vomiting.

Chronic pancreatitis signs and symptoms include:

  • Pain in the upper abdomen.
  • Abdominal pain that feels worse after eating.
  • Losing weight without trying.
  • Oily, smelly stools.

Some people with chronic pancreatitis only develop symptoms after complications of the disease.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have sudden stomach pain or abdominal pain that does not improve. Seek immediate medical help if the pain is so strong that you can't sit still or find a position that makes it more comfortable.

Causes

The pancreas has two main functions. Produces insulin, which helps the body handle and use the sugars.

The pancreas also produces the diet of juices called enzymes which help with digestion. The pancreas manufactures and stores "off" versions of the enzymes. After that the pancreas releases enzymes into the small intestine, which are "active" and break down proteins in the small intestine.

If the enzymes are activated too soon, they may begin to act as the digestive juices in the inside of the pancreas. The action can irritate, damage or destroy the cells. This problem, in turn, leads to the responses of the immune system that causes swelling and other events that affect the pancreas works.

Various conditions can cause acute pancreatitis, including:

  • Obstruction in the bile duct caused by gallstones.
  • The excessive use of alcohol.
  • Certain medications.
  • High levels of triglycerides in the blood.
  • The high levels of calcium in the blood.
  • Cancer of the pancreas.
  • The injury from trauma or surgery.

The conditions that can lead to chronic pancreatitis are:

  • The repeated damage of acute pancreatitis.
  • The excessive use of alcohol.
  • Inherited genes linked to pancreatitis.
  • High levels of triglycerides in the blood.
  • The high levels of calcium in the blood.

Sometimes, the cause of pancreatitis is never found. This is known as pancreatitis was idiopathic.

Risk factors

Factors that increase the risk of pancreatitis include:

  • The excessive use of alcohol. The research shows that having four or five drinks per day increases the risk of pancreatitis.
  • Smoking cigarettes. In comparison with non-smokers, smokers are, on average, three times more likely to develop chronic pancreatitis. Quitting smoking can decrease the risk.
  • Obesity. People with a body mass index of 30 or more are at higher risk of pancreatitis.
  • Diabetes. Having diabetes increases the risk of pancreatitis.
  • The family history of pancreatitis. A number of genes have been associated with chronic pancreatitis. A family history of the disease is linked to a greater risk, especially when combined with other risk factors.

Complications

Pancreatitis can cause serious complications, including:

  • The renal failure. Acute pancreatitis can result in which the kidneys don't filter waste from the blood. Artificial filtering, called dialysis, may be necessary for short-term or long-term treatment.
  • Breathing problems. Acute pancreatitis can cause changes in the shape of the lungs, causing the oxygen level in the blood to fall to dangerously low levels.
  • Infection. Acute pancreatitis can cause the pancreas vulnerable to infections. Pancreatic infections are severe and require intensive treatment, such as surgery or other procedures to remove the infected tissue.
  • Pseudocyst. Acute and chronic Pancreatitis can cause fluid and debris to collect in a "pocket" in the pancreas, called a pseudocyst. A large pseudocyst that is broken, it can cause complications such as internal bleeding and infection.
  • Malnutrition. With both acute and chronic pancreatitis, the pancreas can't produce enough enzymes for the digestive system. This can lead to malnutrition, diarrhea, and weight loss.
  • Diabetes. Diabetes can develop when the chronic pancreatitis damages the cells that produce insulin.
  • Cancer of the pancreas. Long-standing inflammation of the pancreas is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer.

Diagnosis

Your health care professional will ask about your medical history and symptoms, giving you a general physical, and check for pain or tenderness in the abdomen.

Tests and procedures that may be used include the following.

  • Blood tests may provide clues about how the immune system, the pancreas and related organs are working.
  • Ultrasound imaging can show the presence of gallstones in the gall bladder or inflammation of the pancreas.
  • The computed tomography (CT) show gallstones and the extent of the inflammation.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look for irregular tissues or structures in the gallbladder, the pancreas, and bile ducts.
  • Endoscopic ultrasound is an ultrasound device in a small tube that is inserted through the mouth and into the digestive system. May show inflammation, gallstones, cancer, and the obstructions in the pancreatic duct or bile.
  • Stool tests can measure the levels of fat which might suggest that your digestive system is not absorbing nutrients as it should.

Your doctor may recommend other tests, depending on their symptoms, or other conditions that you may have.

Treatment

There is no specific medication for the treatment of pancreatitis. The treatment begins with a stay in the hospital to control the symptoms and complications. These include:

  • Medications for pain. Pancreatitis can cause severe pain. Your medical team will give you medicine to help control the pain.
  • Intravenous (IV) fluids. You will receive fluids through a vein in your arm to keep you hydrated.
  • Nutrition. You are going to start eating again when you can make without vomiting or pain. In some cases, a feeding tube is used.

When the symptoms and complications are under control, other treatments are used to treat the underlying causes. These may include:

  • Procedures for opening the bile ducts. A procedure called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is used to locate and remove a gallstone. A long tube with a camera is fed through the mouth and the digestive system in the bile duct. This tube is also used for small tools to the site to remove the stone and clear the bile duct. ERCP can trigger acute pancreatitis, but the research on the risk factors have helped to improve the results.
  • Surgery of the gallbladder. If gallstones caused the pancreatitis, surgery to remove the gallbladder may be recommended. This procedure is called a cholecystectomy.
  • Pancreatic procedures. Procedures with a camera endoscopic and tools can be used to drain the fluid from the pancreas or remove the diseased tissue.
  • The treatment for alcohol dependency. If the excessive use of alcohol has caused pancreatitis, a treatment program for addiction to alcohol is recommended. Continuing to drink alcohol worsens pancreatitis and leads to serious complications.
  • The changes in the medications. If a drug is the likely cause of the acute pancreatitis, your healthcare professional will work with you to find other options.

Additional treatments for chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis may require additional treatments, including:

  • The management of pain. Chronic pancreatitis often causes severe, long-term pain. In addition to prescribing a medication, your healthcare provider will look for causes or complications of chronic pancreatitis that causes pain. Treatments may include procedures to improve the drainage of the pancreas, or injections to block the nerve signals in the pancreas, the brain. You may be referred to a pain specialist.
  • Enzymes to improve digestion. When chronic pancreatitis causes diarrhea or weight loss, you can take pancreatic enzyme supplements. Take it with every meal, these supplements, enzymes help your body break down and use nutrients from food.
  • Changes to your diet. Your doctor may refer you to a dietitian who can help you plan low-fat meals that are high in nutrients.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Once you leave the hospital, you can take steps to continue his recovery from pancreatitis, such as:

  • Stop drinking alcohol. Even if the alcohol was not the likely cause of the pancreatitis, it is best to stop drinking alcohol while you are recovering. If he was waiting for the cause, stop drinking. If you are unable to stop drinking alcohol on your own, ask your doctor for help. Your doctor can refer you to local programs to help you stop drinking.
  • Stop smoking. If you smoke, stop smoking. If you are unable to quit smoking on your own, ask your doctor for help. Medicines and counseling can help you quit smoking.
  • Choose a diet low in fat. Choose a diet that limits fat and emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.
  • Drink more liquids. Pancreatitis can cause dehydration, so drink more fluids during the day. This can help to keep a bottle of water or a glass of water with you.

Alternative medicine

Alternative therapies cannot treat pancreatitis, but some can help you to deal with the pain of chronic pancreatitis. These include:

  • Meditation.
  • The relaxation exercises.
  • Yoga.
  • Acupuncture.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely that you see your primary care professional first. You may be referred to a specialist in the digestive system called a gastroenterologist.

Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot to discuss, it is a good idea to be well prepared. Here's some information to help you to be prepared and know what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there is anything that you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all the medications, vitamins, supplements, or herbal remedies you are taking.
  • Have a family member or friend. Sometimes it can be difficult to keep track of all the information during an appointment. Someone is going to go with, you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • Write questions to ask their doctor.

Questions that you may have in a first visit or follow-up visit after a diagnosis may include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
  • What are other possible causes for my symptoms or condition?
  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I better manage pancreatitis along with these conditions?
  • You should see a specialist? How do I know if my insurance covers you to a specialist?
  • Is there a generic option for the medicine you're prescribing?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?
  • Should I schedule a follow-up visit?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you several questions. Be ready to answer them may allow more time to cover the points you want to address. Your doctor may ask:

  • When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
  • The symptoms been on and off or constant?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • Is there something to improve your symptoms?
  • Does anything make your symptoms worse?
  • Have you had these symptoms before?
  • Have you been diagnosed with pancreatitis in the past?
  • Do you drink alcohol? If so, how much and how often to drink?"
  • Did you start any new medicine before your symptoms began?
  • Is there a family history of diseases of the pancreas?
Symptoms and treatment of Pancreatitis