PANCREATITIS

BACKGROUND

• The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach and next to the small intestine.
• The pancreas does two main things.
• 1. It releases powerful digestive enzymes into the small intestine to aid the digestion of food
• 2. It releases the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream.
• Pancreatitis is a disease in which the pancreas becomes inflamed.

Acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation that lasts for a short time. It may range from mild discomfort to a severe, life-threatening illness.
Most people with acute pancreatitis recover completely after getting the right treatment.
In severe cases, acute pancreatitis can result in bleeding into the gland, serious tissue damage, infection, and cyst formation.
Severe pancreatitis can also harm other vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is long-lasting inflammation of the pancreas.It most often happens after an episode of acute pancreatitis. Heavy alcohol drinking is another big cause. Damage to the pancreas from heavy alcohol use may not cause symptoms for many years, but then the person may suddenly develop severe pancreatitis symptoms.

causes

Pancreatic damage happens when the digestive enzymes are activated before they are released into the small intestine and begin attacking the pancreas.

acute pancreatitis causes

In most cases, acute pancreatitis is caused by gallstones or heavy alcohol use. Other causes include medications, infections, trauma, metabolic disorders, and surgery. In up to 30% of people with acute pancreatitis, the cause is unknown.

chronic pancreatitis causes

In about 45% of people, chronic pancreatitis is caused by long-time alcohol use. Other causes include gallstones, hereditary disorders of the pancreas, cystic fibrosis, high triglycerides, and certain medicines. In about 25% of cases, the cause of chronic pancreatitis is unknown.

SYMPTOMS OF ACUTE PANCREATITIS

• Upper abdominal pain that radiates into the back. It may be aggravated by eating, especially foods high in fat.
• Swollen and tender abdomen.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Fever.
• Increased heart rate.

SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC PANCREATITIS

• constant pain in the upper abdomen that radiates to the back.
• weight loss caused by poor absorption (malabsorption) of food.
• diabetes may develop if the insulin-producing cells are damaged.