Pancreatitis Can Be Life Threaten
Pancreatitis can be life Threaten
Sushil Kumar Sinha and Srijata Mitra
Definition of Pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. Normally, digestive enzymes secreted by the pancreas do not become active until they reach the small intestine. But when the pancreas is inflamed, the enzymes inside it attack and damage the tissues that produce them. Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic.
Causes of Pancreatitis:
Alcohol abuse and gallstones are the two main causes of pancreatitis, accounting for 80%-90% of all cases.
Pancreatitis from alcohol use usually occurs in patients who have been long-term alcohol drinkers for at least five to seven years. Most cases of chronic pancreatitis are due to alcohol abuse.
Gallstones form, from a build up of material within the gallbladder. A gallstone can block the pancreatic duct, trapping digestive juices inside the pancreas. The remaining 10%-20% of cases of pancreatitis have various causes, including the following:
(i) Medications
(ii) Exposure to certain chemicals
(iii) Trauma, as might happen in a car accident or bad fall leading to abdominal trauma
(iv) Hereditary disease
(v) surgery and certain medical procedures
(vi) Infections such as mumps (rare)
(vii) Abnormalities of the pancreas or intestine
(i) High fat levels in the blood
(ii) In about 15% of cases of acute pancreatitis and 40% of cases of chronic pancreatitis, the cause is never known.
What is acute pancreatitis?
Acute pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that occurs suddenly and usually resolves in a few days with treatment. Acute pancreatitis can be a life-threatening illness with severe complications. The most common cause of acute pancreatitis is the presence of gallstones that cause inflammation in the pancreas as they pass through the common bile duct. Chronic, heavy alcohol use is also a common cause.
What is chronic pancreatitis?
Chronic pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that does not heal or improve—it gets worse over time and leads to permanent damage. Chronic pancreatitis, like acute pancreatitis, occurs when digestive enzymes attack the pancreas and nearby tissues, causing episodes of pain. Chronic pancreatitis often develops in people who are between the ages of 30 and 40.The most common cause of chronic pancreatitis is many years of heavy alcohol use.
Symptoms acute pancreatitis:
(i) The pain may come on suddenly or build up gradually. If the pain begins suddenly, it is typically very severe. If the pain builds up gradually, it starts out mild but may become severe.
(ii) Nausea
(iii) Lathergy
(iv) Fever
(v) Rapid pulse
Symptoms of Chronic Pancreatitis:
(i) Pain is less common in chronic Pancreatitis
(ii) Bleeding
(iii) Lathergy
(iv) Irritability
(v) Headache
Diagnosis:
(i) Abdominal ultrasound
(ii) Computerized tomography (CT) scan
(iii) MRCP
(iv) Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
Treatment:
Treatment for chronic pancreatitis may require hospitalization for pain management, at that time nasogastric feedings may be required.
When a normal diet is resumed, the doctor may prescribe synthetic pancreatic enzymes if the pancreas does not secrete enough of its own. The enzymes should be taken with every meal to help the person digest food and regain some weight.
Uptake low fat content diet and includes small, frequent meals.
A dietitian can assist in developing a meal plan. Drinking plenty of fluids and limiting caffeinated beverages is also important.
People with chronic pancreatitis are strongly advised not to smoke or consume alcoholic beverages, even if the pancreatitis is mild or in the early stages.
Key Words: symptoms; cause; treatment; diagnosis.