Pancreatitis: Causes, Signs, Risk Factors And Treatment

The pancreas is inflamed during pancreatitis. The pancreas is a long, thin organ that is hidden in the upper belly beyond the stomach. The pancreas makes hormones that govern how your body uses sugar and enzymes that aid in digestion.

Acute pancreatitis, which manifests rapidly and lasts for days, is one type of pancreatitis that can happen. Chronic pancreatitis, or pancreatitis that lasts for a long time, can occur in certain persons. In this article, we discuss the causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of pancreatitis.

Causes

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When digestion enzymes that are remaining in the pancreas get activated, it irritates the pancreatic cells and results in inflammation.

Acute pancreatitis can damage the pancreas over time, which can result in chronic pancreatitis. The pancreas may develop damaged tissue, which would impair its functionality. Diabetes and digestive issues can both be spurred on by an inefficient pancreas.

Causes of acute pancreatitis include:

• Autoimmune conditions
• High consumption of alcohol
• Infections
• Gallstones
• Medication
• Metabolic diseases
• Trauma
• Surgery

The cause of acute pancreatitis is unknown in up to 15% of cases.

Causes of chronic pancreatitis include:

• Cystic fibrosis
• Disorders of the pancreas run in the family
• Gallstones
• Increased triglycerides
• Chronic alcoholism
• Medications

Signs

Depending on the kind you have, your pancreatitis symptoms and signs may change.

Signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis include:

• Pain in the upper abdomen
• Back discomfort that begins in the abdomen
• The abdomen feels tender to the touch
• Fever
• Rapid heartbeat
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Signs and symptoms of chronic pancreatitis include:

• Pain in the upper abdomen
• After eating, abdominal pain becomes more severe
• Shedding pounds without trying
• Foul-smelling stools (steatorrhea)

Risk factors

The following are some factors that raise your risk of pancreatitis:

• High alcohol intake: According to research, those who regularly consume four to five drinks are more likely to develop pancreatitis.
• Consuming cigarettes: Compared to nonsmokers, smokers have a threefold increased risk of developing chronic pancreatitis. The good news is that your risk is reduced by almost half when you stop smoking.
• Obesity: Obesity If you are obese, you stand a higher risk of developing pancreatitis.
• Diabetes: Pancreatitis is more likely to occur if you have diabetes.
• History of pancreatitis in the family: More and more experts agree that genetics play a part in chronic pancreatitis. Your chances improve if you know someone who has the illness in your family, especially when added to other risk factors.

Treatment

Early medical treatments could incorporate:

1. Early meals

According to older research, you should refrain from eating while you're in the hospital to allow your pancreas a chance to heal. This is not done anymore. According to more recent research, eating as soon as you can handle food promotes pancreatic healing.

2. Simpler diet

You should start drinking clear liquids and eating bland meals when the pain and pancreatic inflammation symptoms subside. You can eventually resume your regular diet. A feeding tube may be advised by your doctor if your pancreatitis symptoms worsen and you continue to feel discomfort when eating.

3. Medications for pain

You can be prescribed medicines for pain. Severe pancreatitis is a possibility. You will receive medicines from your medical staff to assist manage your pain.

4. Fluids are given intravenously (IV)

You risk dehydration while your body invests energy and water in your pancreas' healing. Because of this, throughout your hospital stay, you will get additional fluids through a vein in your arm.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.