Live Life Team
Pancreatitis is caused by inflammation of the pancreas. It is of two types.
Acute pancreatitis
In this condition, the pancreas gets inflamed very quickly within few hours and usually gets back to normal. This causes no permanent damage. If complications occur due to acute pancreatitis, it may become fatal. Acute pancreatitis is generally caused by gallstones and alcohol misuse.
Chronic pancreatitis
In this condition the pancreas become constantly inflammed.It starts with bouts of acute pancreatitis and becomes permanent eventually. Excessive alcohol consumption is the main cause of this condition. Men in the age group of 40 to 50 are commonly affected by this condition. It can also be hereditary but happens in rare cases.
Symptoms of pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis
Abdominal pain is the main symptom of acute pancreatitis.The pain spreads to the back and may become severe. The pain generally worsens on lying down.Nausea, fever, vomiting and feeling unwell are some of the other symptoms of this condition.
Chronic pancreatitis
Abdominal pain felt behind the ribs is the main symptom of chronic pancreatitis.In this condition the patient experiences constant pain which starts with mild pain. The pain becomes severe in some cases. People with chronic pancreatitis usually suffer from weight loss in the following cases
Pain worsens on eating so people having chronic pancreatitis tend to eat less.
Damaged pancreas affects digestion and leads to weight loss.
Feeling sick and vomiting sensation makes food unappealing.
Causes of pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis
Around 80% cases of pancreatitis are due to gallstones and alcohol.
Acute pancreatitis is commonly caused by gallstones. The gallstones may block the bile duct. This stops the pancreatic juice to move to other parts of the body and hence damaging the pancreas.
Some less common causes of acute pancreatitis are
parasite infection
injury to pancreas
viral infection such as mumps
high blood fat
Chronic pancreatitis
About 80% of cases of chronic pancreatitis are a result of excessive alcohol. This condition commonly affects people in the age group of 40 to 60. Heavily drinking alcohol for 10 years or more is the major cause of chronic pancreatitis.
Sometimes Chronic pancreatitis may be hereditary.
Treatment
Mild acute pancreatitis can be treated using the following:
Painkillers
No food and drink
This is done to avoid severe pain. A drip is used to provide fluids and nutrients to the body.
If the condition develops due to gallstones, a surgery might be required to remove them
Removal of damaged areas of pancreas might be needed and can be done by surgery
The infection in the pancreas can be fought using antibiotics.
Chronic pancreatitis
Following treatments are given in case of chronic pancreatitis:
giving up smoking
giving up alcohol
painkillers
medication or insulin injections
enzyme replacement medication
Complications
Acute pancreatitis:
Most of the cases are mild and the symptoms pass away with treatment.
But in some cases may become serious if the pancreatic enzymes get into the blood stream. This may cause a kidney failure or respiratory failure.
Chronic pancreatitis:
The complications that develop as a result of chronic pancreatitis are:
Diabetes
Pseudocysts
Cancer of the pancreas
