Pancreatitis
pancreatitis Inflammation of the pancreas that can be acute (comes on suddenly) or chronic (ongoing).
Acute pancreatitis can be life-threatening and requires emergency medical treatment.
Between them, excessive ALCOHOL consumption and gallstones account for more than 80 percent of pancreatitis. Other causes include CYSTIC FIBROSIS, viral INFECTION (notably with the MUMPS VIRUS), SIDE EFFECTS of certain medications, and trauma to the abdomen (particularly blunt trauma such as might occur in MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS). A good deal of the time doctors cannot identify the cause of pancreatitis.
Symptoms and Diagnostic Path
Acute pancreatitis makes a person very ill, with symptoms that include moderate to severe abdominal pain, abdominal distention; nausea, vomiting, and fever. Often the pulse and respiration rate are rapid. When symptoms are severe, the person may be in shock, which is a life-threatening emergency. The diagnostic path includes blood tests to measure the levels of the digestive enzymes amy-lase and lipase, which become significantly elevated with pancreatitis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ercp) can often identify signs of inflammation and can help determine whether gallstones are obstructing the bile ducts, a common cause of acute pancreatitis. Ultrasound or computed tomography (ct) scan also can provide therapeutically useful information.
People who have chronic pancreatitis may have intermittent upper abdominal pain, though with advanced damage to the pancreas pain is less common. The primary symptom of chronic pancreatitis is persistent weight loss despite adequate eating. This occurs because the damaged pancreas is unable to produce the digestive enzymes the small intestine needs to absorb nutrients, so consumed food passes through the gastrointestinal tract largely useless in the context of meeting the body's nutritional needs. The same procedures doctors use to diagnose acute pancreatitis help diagnose as well as monitor chronic pancreatitis. Specialized tests also can measure production of pancreatic enzymes.
Treatment Options and Outlook
Treatment for acute pancreatitis is primarily supportive, with intravenous fluids to restore fluid and electrolyte balance within the body as well as to deliver glucose. Surgery becomes necessary when there is bleeding in the pancreas. Though illness can be severe, most people recover without residual consequences. Some people do subsequently develop chronic pancreatitis. Other complications may include renal failure and the development of fluid-filled pockets called pseudo-cysts that often become infected.
Treatment for chronic pancreatitis is elimination of any contributing factors (such as alcohol consumption or removal of gallstones), plus a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet to get basic nutrients into the body. Enzyme supplements can improve digestion. Complications include DIABETES (requiring INSULIN THERAPY) and progressive loss of pancreatic function.
Risk Factors and Preventive Measures
Excessive alcohol consumption and gallstones are the leading risk factors for pancreatitis; alcohol abstinence and appropriate treatment for gallstones eliminates them. Other causes of pancreatitis are less defined and thus more difficult to prevent. Prompt medical assessment of symptoms and appropriate treatment improve the likelihood for uneventful recovery.
See also ALCOHOLISM; ENDOSCOPY; PANCREATIC CANCER.
…quantify and his amylase was also extremely high meaning he has acute pancreatitis once again. For most of the morning we were not able to control his pain or nausea…
…the night, and it’s a good thing I did. She had acute and very severe pancreatitis , and the doctor said she may not have made it through the night. After IV …
Snow joke that pancreatitis! Been a bit under the weather of late and not been able or inclined…
… to hear he was at death's door over Christmas with pancreatitis. Happily, Britain's funniest writer was refused an astral…
Exercise would not cause this. However, elevated triglycerides can precipitate pancreatitis.No, exercise does not cause this
did you google the disease?hi, m
It has many potential complications: pancreatic infection, too little blood, bleeding, kidney failure, shock, lungs problems, pneumonia, diabetes, blood clots,
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so you wont die. The pancreas is nothing to fool around with
Ask the doc for a detailed explanation, or his staff! Take care and God bless,Quitting alcohol w
The purpose of the ultrasound is to eliminate the possiblity of stones blocking either the pancreatic duct or the common duct it shares with the gallbladder. T
Most hospitals have dietitians they will work out a meal planIt’s not acute pancreatitis any more. You didn’t mention whether he has chronic pancreatitis or re
Gallstones and alcohol abuse are the most common causes of pancreatitis. Less common causes include certain types of infections, high triglycerides, certain med
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach and close to the duodenum. The duodenum is the upper part of the small intestine. The pancreas secrete
Pancreatitits is a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflammed. Learn more about healthy food choices for pancreatitis from a registered dietician in this food video.
Session – SAGES/ALACE International Joint Symposium – Juan Acosta
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) helped Aimee Comeau with her chronic pancreatitis. Drs. Douglas Pleskow and Ram Chittani discuss the advantages of this diagnostic tool that can a
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The Pancreatitis Ribbon proudly displayed on a round mouse pad. There is no better way to achieve awareness for Pancreatitis Ribbon than to display it
