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Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, the small organ behind the stomach that produces digestive juices that help digest food and insulin, the hormone that regulates sugar levels in the blood.
Symptoms
Abdominal pain (especially radiating to the back)
Vomiting
There are two types of pancreatitis:
Acute pancreatitis - the pancreas becomes inflamed over a short period of time. The inflammation passes after a few days.
Chronic pancreatitis - the inflammation of the pancreas persists for many years. It can often develop after repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis or years of alcohol abuse.
Excessive consumption of alcohol is a major risk factor for acute pancreatitis. It can also be caused by gallstones.
The average age for the development of alcohol-related acute pancreatitis is 38. The average age for the development of gallstone-related acute pancreatitis is 69.
In most cases, the inflammation of the pancreas will not cause any serious complications. Admission to hospital is always required, though, because the functions of the body need to be supported until the pancreas recovers.
Diagnosis
Blood tests, stools test, ultrasound, CT scan. ERCP (Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) requires sedation and is also used in diagnoses; an endoscope is passed through the mouth and stomach to the opening of the pancreas in the bowel. A tiny plastic tube is passed into the pancreas opening and some x-ray liquid is injected to outline the pancreatic tubes, and pictures are taken. During the procedure, narrowing of the bile or pancreatic tubes can be widened and stones in the bile tubes can be removed.
Treatments
Unless complications occur, acute pancreatitis usually improves on its own, so treatment is supportive in most cases. There are many pancreatic enzyme preparations available, which depend on individual cases.
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