Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas caused by digestive enzymes attacking it. It can be acute or chronic and has various causes, including gallstones and alcohol abuse. Symptoms include abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, fever, and back pain. Treatment involves addressing the underlying cause and may include a hospital stay, pain medication, and intravenous feeding. Complications can arise if left untreated.
Inflammation of the pancreas, also known as pancreatitis, is an unpleasant and sometimes even life-threatening condition that occurs when the digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas begin to attack it. The condition is classified as either acute or chronic, with typical symptoms of the two types varying slightly. Inflammation of the pancreas has several possible causes, including gallstones, prolonged heavy use of alcohol, and infections. Once pancreatitis has been diagnosed, it is often treated by addressing the underlying cause of the attack.
The pancreas is a long, thin organ located in the back of the upper abdomen. It has two main functions: to produce hormones that regulate the amount of sugar in the blood and to produce enzymes which, when released into the digestive system, help in the breakdown of food. Inflammation of the pancreas occurs when these digestive enzymes go into “attack mode” before being released into the digestive system. Instead of breaking down food, they instead begin to attack the pancreas itself, causing painful inflammation of its tissues.
Pancreatic inflammation attacks are classified as acute or chronic. Acute attacks happen very quickly. They are usually characterized by abdominal discomfort that can range from mild to severe, nausea, vomiting, fever and, in some cases, back pain.
Chronic pancreatitis is an ongoing condition that can persist for months or even years. It generally presents the same symptoms as acute inflammation of the pancreas. Additionally, however, chronic pancreatitis can cause unexplained weight loss or greasy, foul-smelling waste. These symptoms are caused by the long-term inability of digestive enzymes to break down food, which in turn deprives the body of nutrients normally absorbed during the digestive process.
There are several possible causes of inflammation of the pancreas. The most common of these are gallstones, prolonged alcohol abuse, and infections. Gallstones, which can suddenly block the path by which digestive enzymes leave the pancreas, are most often responsible for acute pancreatitis. Long-term alcohol abuse is the most common cause of chronic pancreatitis.
Inflammation of the pancreas is usually diagnosed through blood tests, imaging tests such as ultrasound or X-ray, or a combination of these. Once diagnosed, pancreatic inflammation can be treated with a short hospital stay, during which the sufferer is given pain medication and fed intravenously, allowing his pancreas to recover. Additionally, the condition can be treated by addressing the underlying cause. For example, an alcoholic may be asked to complete a rehabilitation program, while an individual with gallstones may be advised to have their gallbladder removed. If left untreated, the condition can lead to a number of serious complications, such as scar tissue, diabetes or kidney failure.
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