Pancreatitis

The pancreas help in synthesizing food with the help of digestive enzymes. Vital hormones such as insulin and glucagon are released by the pancreas into the bloodstream. When the pancreas are inflamed, a condition of Pancreatitis sets in. In a case of Pancreatitis, the digestive enzymes end up attacking the pancreas itself. Milder cases of Pancreatitis can be treated with dietary and lifestyle changes. Patients with Pancreatitis notice dropping body weight inspite of normal appetite and eating habits. This is due to malabsorption as there are insufficient pancreatic enzymes to break down food. At this stage, it can also lead to diabetes since the insulin-producing cells are also damaged.

Acute Pancreatitis is a severe form of the disease that can lead to many a complication. This condition is usually the result of gallstones or too much alcohol. The pancreas help in synthesizing food with the help of digestive enzymes. The symptoms of acute Pancreatitis are nausea and vomiting, accompanied by a swollen abdomen that it tender to touch. The pain may also be noticed in the back and other areas. Sometimes it may lead to dehydration. Acute Pancreatitis is a life-threatening condition if ignored and untreated. It can trigger off breathing complications. It may lead to a kidney failure. Chronic Pancreatitis also manifests in symptoms such as bloating and oily malodorous stools. Cases of chronic Pancreatitis are usually attributed to excessive alcohol consumption. Other factors that can trigger acute Pancreatitis are elevated levels of triglycerides, bacterial or viral infections such as hepatitis or mumps and pancreatic cancer. Any structural abnormality of the pancreas or common bile duct can lead to Pancreatitis.

A case of acute Pancreatitis may need to be monitored and treated in a hospital. Surgical removal of pancreatic pseudo cysts may be necessary. Blood tests will reveal unusually high levels of amylase and lipase in patients suffering from acute Pancreatitis. Abdominal ultrasound can reveal presence of gallstones and inflammation of the pancreas. Other diagnostic procedures to detect chronic Pancreatitis are ERCP - endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and CAT scan.