Digestive System Disorders

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Acute Pancreatitis

What Is Pancreatitis?

Normally, the pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach and close to the duodenum, secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine through a tube called the pancreatic duct. Digestive enzymes help digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in food. Another function of the pancreas is to release hormones called insulin and glycogen into the bloodstream, which help the body use the glucose it takes from food for energy. Pancreatitis is a condition in which the pancreas itself becomes inflamed. In a normal digestion process, digestive enzymes do not become active until they reach the small intestine, where they begin digesting food. In pancreatitis, the enzymes become active in the pancreas, therefore digesting the gland itself. There are two types of pancreatitis; one is called acute pancreatitis and the other is chronic pancreatitis.

What Is Acute Pancreatitis?

Acute pancreatitis comes on suddenly and lasts for a short amount of time. Even though some people have more than one attack and recover completely after each, acute pancreatitis can be severe and even life threatening with many complications. Even though drinking too much alcohol and gallstones may be the causes in some cases of pancreatitis, they are not the exclusive causes of it. If gallstones and alcohol use are ruled out, other causes can be found and a treatment can begin.

What Are The Symptoms Of Acute Pancreatitis?

The symptoms of acute pancreatitis usually start with upper abdominal pain that may last for a few days. This pain may come on sudden and intense or mild and gets worse when food is eaten. Other symptoms include:

  • A tender and swollen abdomen
  • Rapid pulse
  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Dehydration (in severe cases)
  • Low Blood Pressure (in severe cases)

How Is Acute Pancreatitis Diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask your medical history, perform a physical exam and order a blood test to diagnose acute pancreatitis. In blood tests, the digestive enzymes that are found in the pancreas, lipase and amylase, are elevated at least three times the normal level in patients with the disease. Your doctor will also look for changes in blood bicarbonate, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and glucose. A CAT (computerized axial tomography) scan to look for inflammation and damage to the pancreas as well as an abdominal ultrasound to look for gallstones may also be ordered.

How Is Acute Pancreatitis Treated?

Treatment of acute pancreatitis depends on the severity of the attacks themselves.The treatment is designed to prevent complications and support vital bodily functions. Hospitalization is necessary to replace vital fluids intravenously; if there is pancreatic pseudo cysts involved, your doctor may have to drain them or remove them. Severe acute pancreatitis may also require a process called total parenteral nutrition. Total parenteral nutrition is when a person is fed through an IV that bypasses the digestive tract. In the case of acute pancreatitis, TPN is often required for a length of 3 to 6 weeks while the pancreas slowly heals. The patient is also advised not to drink alcohol and not to eat large meals before he or she leaves the hospital. Preventative measures are also planned to avoid future attacks once the cause is found and after all signs of acute pancreatitis are gone. Other tests may be necessary if no cause has been found. Pancreatitis that is caused by gallstones require surgery to remove the gallstones.

***DISCLAIMER***
This site is meant only to provide information and resources about digestive system disorders. It is not meant to diagnose any digestive problems. If you suspect you may have some digestive disorder, then please, see your doctor, and get his professional opinion and advice.