What Is Pancreatitis?

The pancreas is a big gland located behind and close to the small intestine. Your pancreas performs two things: it helps you digest food by releasing powerful digestive enzymes into your small intestine and it also helps with the release of insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. These hormones aid in the regulation of how your body uses food for energy. Pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. When digestive enzymes start working before your pancreas releases them, your pancreas can be harmed.

Types of Pancreatitis

Acute and chronic pancreatitis are the two main types of pancreatitis.

Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is a short-term inflammation of the pancreas. It can be anything from a minor problem to a serious, life-threatening condition. After receiving the proper therapy, the majority of persons with acute pancreatitis recover fully. Acute pancreatitis can result in bleeding, major tissue damage, infection, and cysts in severe cases. Other important organs, such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys, might be harmed by severe pancreatitis.

Chronic Pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is long-term inflammation of the pancreas. It usually occurs after an attack of acute pancreatitis. Another major factor is consuming large amounts of alcohol over a lengthy period of time. Damage to your pancreas caused by heavy alcohol consumption may not manifest for years, but then you may get severe pancreatitis symptoms.

Necrotizing Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis can progress to necrotizing pancreatitis, which refers to the death of cells as a result of the condition. This happens in around 10% of cases of acute pancreatitis, and it normally occurs when the pancreatitis is left untreated. Digestive enzymes might seep into the pancreas due to pancreatitis inflammation. This can cause tissue damage and death, resulting in necrotizing pancreatitis. To diagnose the problem, your doctor may conduct an abdominal ultrasound or a CT scan. The danger of death from necrotizing pancreatitis increases when dead tissue is infected, therefore it’s critical to get treatment as soon as possible.

Causes and Risk Factors of Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis develops when digestive enzymes are triggered while still in the pancreas, irritating and inflaming the pancreatic cells. Damage to the pancreas can occur as a result of repeated attacks of acute pancreatitis, leading to chronic pancreatitis. The pancreas may develop scar tissue, resulting in loss of function. Digestion issues and diabetes can be caused by a malfunctioning pancreas.

The following are some of the conditions that might cause pancreatitis:

• surgical procedures on the abdomen
• alcoholism
• a number of drugs
• cystic fibrosis: a disease that affects the lungs.
• gallstones
• hypercalcemia (excess calcium in the blood) is a condition induced by an
• overactive parathyroid gland (hyperparathyroidism)
• blood triglyceride levels that are too high (hypertriglyceridemia)
• infection
• an abdominal injury
• obesity
• pancreatic cancer

Pancreatitis can be caused by a number of factors, including:

• Overindulgence in alcohol: According to research, heavy drinkers who take four to five drinks each day have a higher risk of pancreatitis.
• Smoking cigarettes: In comparison to nonsmokers, smokers are three times more likely to develop chronic pancreatitis. The good news is that quitting smoking cuts your risk in half.
• Obesity: Obesity increases your chances of developing pancreatitis.
• Pancreatitis runs in the family: In chronic pancreatitis, the impact of genetics is becoming more widely recognized. If you have relatives who have the disease, your chances increase, especially when combined with additional risk factors.

Symptoms of Pancreatitis

Depending on the type of pancreatitis you have, the signs and symptoms will differ.
The following are symptoms of acute pancreatitis:

• Pain in the upper abdomen
• Back discomfort that originates in the abdomen
• Fever
• Abdominal pain that grows worse after eating
• The heart beats quickly.
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Tenderness in the abdomen when touched

Here are some of the signs and symptoms of chronic pancreatitis:

• Pain in the upper abdomen
• Weight loss without effort
• Stools that are oily and stinky (steatorrhea)

Complications of Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis can lead to a number of serious side effects, some of which are:

Pseudocyst

Fluid and debris can develop in cyst-like pockets in your pancreas as a result of acute pancreatitis. When a large pseudocyst ruptures, it can result in internal bleeding and infection.

Kidney Failure

Acute pancreatitis can lead to renal failure, which can be treated with dialysis if it is severe and long-term.

Diabetes

Chronic pancreatitis causes damage to insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, which can lead to diabetes, a disease that affects how your body uses blood sugar.

Malnutrition

Pancreatitis, both acute and chronic, can cause your pancreas to produce fewer enzymes, which are needed to break down and utilize nutrients from food. Even if you eat the same meals or the same amount of food, this might lead to malnutrition, diarrhea, and weight loss.

Pancreatic Cancer

This is a type of cancer that affects the pancreas. Chronic pancreatitis, which causes long-term inflammation in the pancreas, is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer.

Infection

Your pancreas may become prone to bacteria and infection if you have acute pancreatitis. Pancreatic infections are dangerous and necessitate intensive treatment, including surgery to remove affected tissue.

Treatment Options for Pancreatitis

Initial hospital treatments may include:

Fasting

In the hospital, you’ll be asked to cease eating for a few days to allow your pancreas to heal. One can start drinking clear liquids and eating bland foods after the inflammation in their pancreas is under control and then gradually return to their regular diet. Also, a feeding tube may be used to assist you to acquire nutrients if your pancreatitis persists and you still have pain when eating.

Pain Relievers

Because pancreatitis can be extremely painful, drugs are may be prescribed to assist you to manage your discomfort.

Fluids Administered Intravenously (IV)

One may get dehydrated as the body focuses energy and fluids on mending your pancreas. As a result, you’ll be given extra fluids through a vein in your arm during your hospital stay. Your health care provider can treat the underlying cause of your pancreatitis after your pancreatitis is under control. Treatment options for pancreatitis vary depending on the cause and they include:

Procedures for Removing Bile Duct Blockages

Pancreatitis caused by a restricted or obstructed bile duct may necessitate bile duct widening or opening treatments.

• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a procedure that examines your pancreas and bile ducts using a long tube with a camera at the end. The camera delivers photographs of your digestive tract to a monitor when the tube is passed down your throat.
• ERCP can help diagnose and correct issues with the bile duct and pancreatic duct.
• ERCP can cause acute pancreatitis in some persons, especially the elderly.
• Gallbladder Surgery: The gallbladder is removed during gallbladder surgery. If gallstones are the cause of your pancreatitis, your doctor may propose gallbladder removal surgery (cholecystectomy).
• Pancreas Surgery: A procedure that involves the removal of the pancreas. To drain fluid from your pancreas or remove damaged tissue, surgery may be required.

Treatment for Alcohol Dependence

Pancreatitis can be caused by drinking multiple drinks every day over a long period of time. If this is the source of your pancreatitis, your doctor may suggest that you undergo an alcohol addiction treatment program. Continued drinking could aggravate your pancreatitis and cause serious complications.

Other Treatments for Chronic Pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis may necessitate extra therapies depending on your circumstances, such as:

• Pain Management: Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by persistent abdominal pain. Your doctor may prescribe pain-relieving drugs or refer you to a pain expert.
• Improve your Digestion with Enzymes: Supplementing with pancreatic enzymes can help your body break down and utilize the nutrients in your meals. With each meal, pancreatic enzymes should be consumed.
• Changes in your Eating Habits: Your doctor may recommend you to a dietician who may assist you in creating low-fat, high-nutrient meals.
• Endoscopic ultrasonography or surgery to block nerves that convey pain signals from the pancreas to the brain may be used to treat severe pain.

Now that you Know…

You can manage pancreatitis with a healthy lifestyle and, if necessary, medical therapy. To lower your risk of pancreatitis and help you recover, it’s vital to quit smoking and reduce alcohol consumption. If any of your symptoms return, make an appointment with your doctor right away.