Inflammation of the pancreas most common in alcoholics.
Associated with alcoholism or biliary tract obstruction. If untreated, the exocrine pancreas becomes necrotic and characteristic disturbances in digestion occur together with progressive decline of health. This can be life threatening.
Inflammation of the pancreas, usually marked by abdominal pain often radiating to the back, nausea, and vomiting. It may occur in an acute or chronic form, often associated with alcoholism, injury to the biliary tract, trauma, or infection. Treatment depends on the cause and severity; it may include surgical removal of all or part of the pancreas and administration of pain-relieving drugs and pancreatin.
Inflammation of the pancreas. Pancreatitis may be sudden and acute or chronic and long-lasting. Most cases are associated with alcohol abuse or gallstones (hardened masses of cholesterol or bilirubin that develop in the gallbladder). Acute pancreatitis usually comes on rapidly and can result in life-threatening disease. Intense pain develops in the upper abdomen and can penetrate to the back. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal distension. Internal bleeding may cause bruises to appear on the abdomen.
Inflammation of the pancreas. Acute pancreatitis is a sudden illness in which the patient experiences severe pain in the upper abdomen and back, with or without shock; its cause is uncertain. It may be mistaken for a perforated peptic ulcer but differs from this condition in that the level of the enzyme amylase in the blood is appreciably raised. The main complication is formation of a pseudocyst. Treatment consists of intravenous feeding (no food or drink should be given by mouth), and anticholinergic drugs and antacids. Relapsing pancreatitis, in which the above symptoms are recurrent and less severe, may be associated with gallstones or alcoholism; prevention is by removal of gallstones and avoidance of alcohol and fat Chronic pancreatitis may produce symptoms similar to relapsing pancreatitis or may be painless; it leads to pancreatic failure causing malabsorption and diabetes mellitus. The pancreas often becomes calcified, producing visible shadowing on X-rays. The malabsorption is treated by a low-fat diet with pancreatic enzyme supplements, and the diabetes with insulin.
Inflammation of the pancreas, sometimes accompanied by damage to neighboring organs such as the bowel, lungs, spleen, or stomach, or by a systemic inflammatory response.
Pancreatitis, an inflammatory state of the pancreas, can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition. Acute pancreatitis involves sudden inflammation, resulting in intense abdominal pain. If not addressed promptly, this form can pose life-threatening risks. In contrast, chronic pancreatitis involves persistent inflammation, gradually causing a decline in pancreatic function over time.
The primary triggers of acute pancreatitis are alcohol misuse, often associated with excessive drinking, and the presence of gallstones. Rarer causes include physical trauma (like a forceful blow to the abdomen), viral infections (such as mumps), biliary system surgeries, or specific medications like immunosuppressants and thiazide diuretics.
Persistent pancreatitis is typically a result of prolonged alcohol misuse. Less frequent factors encompass hyperlipidemia (elevated fat levels in the blood), cystic fibrosis, haemochromatosis (excessive iron accumulation in the body), and severe acute pancreatitis.
An episode of acute pancreatitis typically endures for approximately 48 hours. Manifestations include a sudden onset of intense upper abdominal pain that might radiate to the back, frequently accompanied by vomiting. Physical motion often exacerbates the pain, while sitting down can offer relief. In instances of heightened severity, inflammation could extend throughout the entire abdomen. Additionally, there exists a potential for shock (a failure in blood circulation), which carries life-threatening implications.
The progression of chronic pancreatitis typically spans multiple years, often remaining asymptomatic during the initial phases. As symptoms emerge, they often mirror those of acute pancreatitis. However, the pain might persist for varying durations, ranging from a few hours to several days, with the frequency of attacks potentially increasing over time. In cases devoid of pain, the primary indications could involve malabsorption or diabetes mellitus due to diminished levels of pancreatic enzymes and insulin, respectively.
Episodes of acute pancreatitis can exhibit a tendency to recur. In instances of severe acute pancreatitis, the potential consequences encompass pancreatic damage that can result in conditions like hypotension (low blood pressure), heart failure, kidney failure, respiratory failure, formation of pancreatic cysts, and the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen known as ascites.
Persistent pancreatitis results in lasting harm to the gland, wherein the tissue undergoes damage and is gradually substituted by scar tissue. This process gradually impairs normal functioning. Additional potential complications involve the formation of ascites and cysts, along with the potential for obstruction in the bile ducts.
Diagnosing the condition can be achieved through abdominal X-rays, ultrasound scanning, or advanced imaging methods like CT scanning or MRI, which provide cross-sectional or three-dimensional depictions of bodily structures. Additionally, blood tests can be employed when acute pancreatitis is suspected, aiming to identify pancreatic enzymes that have been released into the bloodstream.
The treatment for acute pancreatitis involves administering intravenous fluids and salts along with opioid analgesic medications to manage pain. In certain instances, the abdominal cavity might be rinsed with sterile fluid, and an endoscopic X-ray procedure known as ERCP could be employed to locate and extract gallstones. Alternatively, surgical removal of damaged tissue, referred to as pancreatectomy, may be considered.
Management of the chronic variant involves the use of pain relievers, insulin, pancreatin, and, on occasion, the consideration of pancreatectomy.
Inflammation of the pancreas can manifest in an acute form, which might be hemorrhagic, suppurative, or gangrenous. Typically, it starts suddenly and is characterized by intense abdominal pain, swelling, and extreme abdominal sensitivity. This condition is a serious surgical emergency.