Pancreatitis refers to the condition when your pancreas gets inflamed, swollen, and irritated. It is not a typical medical issue. Multiple factors contribute, but gallstones and excessive alcohol consumption are often at fault. The condition might manifest itself quickly or persist over time. Either way, it poses severe health risks.
Here is an extensive guide on pancreatitis that covers all aspects of the condition, from causes and symptoms to treatment and prevention.
When digestive enzymes start acting before your pancreas secretes them, the pancreas could be harmed, causing tissue damage and inflammation of the organ. The kidneys, lungs, and heart can all be negatively impacted by an inflamed and irritated pancreas, which can also produce inflammatory cells and toxins.
There are two types of pancreatitis:
Acute pancreatitis is characterized by rapid onset and rapid resolution. The symptoms can be quite modest or may progress to a point where they threaten one's life. In its most severe forms, acute pancreatitis can result in hemorrhaging, serious tissue damage, infections, and cysts. Severe pancreatitis can harm your heart, lungs, kidneys, and pancreas, in addition to other organs.
The vast majority of people with acute pancreatitis recover completely after receiving proper care.
It's a prolonged and persistent inflammation of the pancreas. Commonly, it occurs following a bout of acute pancreatitis. Heavy, chronic alcohol consumption is another major contributor.
Drinking excessively can harm your pancreas permanently, which may go undetected for years before developing into chronic pancreatitis.
The signs and symptoms of pancreatitis differ from person to person, depending on the type of pancreatitis you experience.
Signs and symptoms of Acute Pancreatitis include:
Signs and symptoms of Chronic Pancreatitis include:
Some of the most common reasons why people get Acute Pancreatitis are:
The following can lead to Chronic Pancreatitis:
Pancreatitis risk factors consist of the following:
Drinking Too Much
Evidence suggests that heavy drinkers who consume four or more drinks per day are more likely to develop pancreatitis.
Obesity
Pancreatitis is more prevalent in the obese.
Diabetes
Developing pancreatitis is more likely in those with diabetes.
Smoking Cigarettes
Chronic pancreatitis occurs among smokers at a rate multi folds faster than among nonsmokers.
Family History of Pancreatic Disorders
More and more evidence point to a hereditary element in chronic pancreatitis. Your chances are higher if you have a family history of the disease, and they rise even further when you include additional risk factors.
The presence of symptoms or risk factors, such as persistent excessive alcohol consumption or gallstone disorders, may lead your doctor to diagnose pancreatitis. You may need to undergo more testing to get a definitive diagnosis.
Blood tests measuring pancreatic enzyme levels of amylase and lipase are commonly ordered to diagnose acute pancreatitis. Excessive concentrations of these enzymes characterize these conditions. Inconsistencies in your pancreas, gallbladder, or bile duct can be seen on an ultrasound or CT scan by a doctor.
Chronic pancreatitis requires a more thorough evaluation to diagnose. The doctor may recommend the following tests:
Oral glucose tolerance test
If your doctor feels that pancreatitis has destroyed the cells located in your pancreas that produce insulin, he may order this test. A blood sample is taken before and an hour after ingesting a sugary drink to see how well your body processes the sugar.
Secretin pancreatic function test
The responsiveness of your pancreas to secretin, a hormone produced in your small intestine, is measured here. The pancreatic secretion that digests juice is normally triggered by secretin. A medical expert will inject secretin and then measure the response by passing a tube down the patient's throat, past the stomach, and into the uppermost part of the small intestine.
Endoscopic ultrasound (Endosonography)
Your pancreas and its ducts can be seen more clearly on an
internal endoscopic ultrasound. A healthcare provider will place a small ultrasound instrument on the end of a thin tube and insert it down your throat, into your stomach, and then into your small intestine.
Your pancreas, a section of your liver, your gallbladder, and your bile duct will all be imaged in great detail by the endoscopic ultrasound.
Stool test
If you have digestive issues and your doctor suspects that you are having trouble metabolizing fat, they may perform a stool test.
ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)
A tiny camera is inserted into a tube down the patient's neck, through the stomach, and into the small intestine down to the ampulla, which is where the bile duct and pancreatic duct meet.
Then, the bile duct and pancreatic duct get injected with dye. Your doctor will be able to see your pancreas and bile duct clearly with this test. A gallstone, pancreatic stone, or anything else obstructing the bile duct can be surgically removed.
Acute pancreatitis can cause severe discomfort. Therefore, doctors may prescribe powerful painkillers. Having a tube inserted into your nose and into your stomach to drain its contents may be necessary. If the procedure lasts a bit longer, you may also be given fluids and nutrients intravenously.
A hospital stay is likely, and you may receive the following treatment there:
More severe cases may require treatments that include:
If you suffer from Chronic Pancreatitis, your doctor will prioritize relieving your pain while minimizing the risk of you becoming addicted to medicines prescribed to you and keeping an eye out for problems that may damage your digestive system.
Most likely, the medical experts would prescribe
pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy to reestablish the digestive tract's capability to absorb foods and nutrients. It will probably also lower the number of times you experience new attacks.
You would require:
After being discharged from the hospital, you can continue your rehabilitation from pancreatitis by taking measures such as:
We should always remember that prevention is always better than cure. Pancreatitis can generally be prevented by cutting back on or giving up alcohol, as this is the underlying cause of several cases.
Consult your physician or a medical expert about alcohol treatment options if your alcoholism is causing you or others concern. It may also be helpful to join a support group.
Finally, to experience reduced and milder incidents of pancreatitis, you should give up smoking, exercise regularly, follow the diet recommendations from your doctor and dietician, and pursue your medication routine as prescribed.
When it comes to gastroenterology-related conditions,
Northlake Gastroenterology Associates is your best bet for cutting-edge diagnostics and care in Southeast Louisiana. Our highly experienced medical staff is qualified to treat various upper and lower gastrointestinal tract conditions, such as pancreatitis, Barrett's esophagus, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, indigestion, constipation, and several other complications.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us or
book an appointment. We are here for you whenever you have any of these issues so that we can help you resolve them and get you back on track to a happy, healthy life.
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