CONDITION
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is a condition that affects your pancreas, a small organ in your abdomen. The pancreas produces enzymes that help digest food and hormones that regulate blood sugar levels. Pancreatitis can be very painful, it usually cause gastric-like pain which radiates to the back, it is important to recognize symptoms of pancreatitis because it can be life threatening condition.
What is pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. Pancreatitis can be caused by gallstones, alcohol abuse, or heavy physical exertion such as high-intensity exercise.
Causes of Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis may be sudden (acute) or ongoing (chronic).
Acute pancreatitis is an immediate medical emergency that requires urgent treatment.
Chronic pancreatitis is a long-lasting inflammation that comes and goes over time.
The most common type of pancreatitis is alcoholic pancreatitis. It is caused by alcohol abuse which causes about 20 percent to 30 percent of all cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis. The amount and frequency of alcohol consumed, plus genetic factors, increase the risk for developing alcoholic pancreatitis.
- Gallstone disease
- Extremely high triglyceride (TG) level in blood
- Drugs
- Idiopathic cause
- Get a test to check as soon as possible.
- Do not self medicate .
Symptoms of Pancreatitis
Watch for these Symptoms
Symptoms of Pancreatitis may include:
- Severe pain in the upper abdomen that may come and go with eating food or drinking liquids
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea, as well as constipation.
- Loss of appetite (anorexia).
- Dark urine (colored like coffee) that may be accompanied by light-colored stools (stools that look like mustard).
- Fever, which may be high or low depending on the type of pancreatitis you have.
Diagnosis of Pancreatitis
Diagnosis of pancreatitis is based on a medical history and physical examination. Blood tests can be used to measure the amount of enzymes in the blood. The most common test is lipase or amylase. A CT scan or MRI may show inflammation in the pancreas. Endoscopic ultrasound is another way to see what’s going on inside your pancreas; it uses sound waves to create images that show thickened or inflamed tissue inside your pancreas.
Pancreatitis can be difficult for doctors to diagnose because there are so many possible causes for similar symptoms, including gallstones and alcohol abuse—both of which share some symptoms with acute pancreatitis (such as abdominal pain). If you have had several episodes of unexplained digestive problems and suspect that it might be pancreatitis rather than something else, discuss with your doctor whether further testing such as endoscopic ultrasound would be helpful for making a diagnosis.
Treatment of Pancreatitis
If you are diagnosed with pancreatitis, your doctor will recommend medications to treat your symptoms. These can include painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. You may also need a low-fat diet to reduce the amount of fat that accumulates in your pancreas. If these treatments do not help relieve your pain, surgery may be recommended to remove the inflamed pancreas.
Pancreatitis Prevention
- Avoid alcohol and smoking.
- Eat a healthy diet, which includes plenty of leafy greens, fresh fruit, whole grains and lean protein.
- Exercise regularly to help prevent weight gain, which can be an issue for some people with pancreatitis.
- Don’t eat too much fat or sugar. Foods high in saturated fats (like butter) can cause inflammation within the pancreas. Foods high in sugar also may cause inflammation. Try eating smaller portions of fatty foods so you don’t overindulge on these types of food items that could potentially cause damage to your pancreas if consumed too frequently; this will also reduce the risk of developing diabetes if you have problems controlling how much sugar enters your system through what you eat on a daily basis.”
Conclusion
As you can see, pancreatitis is a serious condition that can lead to complications if left untreated. If you experience any of these symptoms, please contact your doctor immediately and seek medical attention.
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