|
|
What is Pancreatitis ?
Pancreatitis can be termed as the
inflammation of the pancreas. It is caused when pancreatic
enzyme secretions build up and begin to digest the organ itself.
Another term for this condition is auto digestion, which occurs
when, for some unknown reason, the pancreas' powerful enzymes
are activated in the pancreas itself rather than in the
duodenum. It is believed that trypsin sets off a domino effect,
activating other enzymes to speed the auto digestive process.
The pancreas is located just behind the stomach and secretes
enzymes for the digestion of the carbohydrates, fats and
proteins in our body; it is also responsible for the secretion
of insulin and glucagon in the bloodstream. However, when these
digestive enzymes start building up and attack the pancreas
itself, the problem gives rise to Pancreatitis. This, though a
rare disease, can be severe and sometimes even life threatening.
Based on severity, pancreatitis can be classified as acute or as
chronic:
Acute pancreatitis is characterized by severe, steady pain in
the upper-middle part of the abdomen, often radiating into the
back. Associated symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever,
lowered blood pressure, fast heart rate, and clammy skin.
Hypotension, low blood pressure, or circulatory shock may follow
these symptoms. The tissue of the pancreas may become necrotic
(tissue death) and late complications may include pseudocysts
and abscesses. Statistics shows that it occurs more in men than
in women.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signs and symptoms of acute
pancreatitis include
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Jaundice
• Mild fever
• Tenderness of the abdomen
• Low blood pressure
The common causes of acute pancreatitis can be because of
excessive usage of alcohol and gallstones. However, most
patients recover from this disesase. Chronic pancreatitis
develops over a period of years, most often in individuals who
have experienced pancreatic damage from earlier episodes of
acute pancreatitis. It is frequently caused by long-term alcohol
use, but, as with acute pancreatitis,
|
|
no cause may be found. Edema
(swelling) and inflammation confined to the pancreas are typical
symptoms of mild or chronic pancreatitis. Symptoms may develop
over a period of time without the sudden dramatic occurrence of
an acute attack. However, those with undiagnosed chronic
pancreatitis may develop acute episodes. There is a decrease in
the secretion of enzymes needed for digestion and absorption of
dietary fats. Fat digestion is impaired, resulting in fatty
stools. This is called exocrine insufficiency. Recurrent
abdominal pain may be accompanied by nausea and weight loss.
Diagnostic scans may find stones or areas of calcified tissue
within the pancreas. Alcoholism is the most common cause of
adult pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, occurring 50 times
greater than the rate among non-drinkers.
The common symptoms include:
• Weight loss
• Nausea or vomiting
Chronic pancreatitis results in the slow destruction of the
pancreas and eventually affects the kidneys, heart, liver and
lungs as the harmful toxins excreted by the pancreas passes
through them.
Pancreatitis can be diagnosed by a blood test to check the
levels of the enzymes amylase and lipase. Abdominal ultrasound
is another method diagnosing this condition. CT scan helps to
determine whether there are any gallstones present that are
blocking the pancreatic duct.
|
|
Treatment of Pancreatitis
Treatment for acute pancreatitis starts of by treating its
symptoms. It is important to reduce the flow of pancreatic
enzymes as much as possible by not eating or drinking, although
intravenous fluids are usually necessary to maintain the body's
biochemical balance. Oral fluid intake is restricted to inhibit
stimulation of the pancreas and secretion of its enzymes.
Nourishment may be given intravenously. If the condition is
caused by gallbladder disease, a cholecystectomy (removal of the
gallbladder) is usually performed, after the pancreatitis has
subsided. If caused by an obstructed pancreatic duct, it may be
resolved by ERCP or surgery. If a stone is present in the common
bile or pancreatic ducts at the entrance to the small intestine
your physician may consider a procedure to enlarge the duct so
the stone can be removed.
|
|
|
|
Short-term hospitalization is common with acute pancreatitis,
and surgery may be required if gallstones or cysts are present
and will interfere with the healing of the pancreas. Because the
pancreas plays a role in digestion, many people who suffer an
acute attack of pancreatitis cannot eat for a few days. Fluids,
along with antibiotics if necessary, are given intravenously,
followed by a bland liquid diet as the pancreas heals. In severe
cases, a feeding tube may be required for one to three weeks.
The treatment a patient receives depends
on how bad the attack is. Unless complications occur, acute
pancreatitis usually gets better on its own, so treatment is
supportive in most cases. Usually the patient goes into the
hospital. The doctor prescribes fluids by vein to restore blood
volume. The kidneys and lungs may be treated to prevent failure of
those organs. Other problems, such as cysts in the pancreas, may
need treatment too. Sometimes a patient cannot control vomiting and
needs to have a tube through the nose to the stomach to remove fluid
and air. In mild cases, the patient may not have food for 3 or 4
days but is given fluids and pain relievers by vein. An acute attack
usually lasts only a few days, unless the ducts are blocked by
gallstones. In severe cases, the patient may be fed through the
veins for 3 to 6 weeks while the pancreas slowly heals. Antibiotics
may be given if signs of infection arise. Surgery may be needed if
complications such as infection, cysts, or bleeding occur. Attacks
caused by gallstones may require removal of the gallbladder or
surgery of the bile duct. Surgery is sometimes needed for the doctor
to be able to exclude other abdominal problems that can simulate
pancreatitis or to treat acute pancreatitis. When there is severe
injury with death of tissue, an operation may be done to remove the
dead tissue.
After all signs of acute pancreatitis are gone, the doctor will
determine the cause and try to prevent future attacks. In some
patients the cause of the attack is clear, but in others further
tests need Your pancreas is a large gland behind your stomach and
close to your duodenum. The pancreas secretes powerful digestive
enzymes that enter the small intestine through a duct. These enzymes
help you digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. The pancreas also
releases the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream.
These hormones play an important part in metabolizing sugar.
|
