WHAT IS ACUTE PANCREATITIS  

Acute pancreatitis is sudden inflammation of the pancreas that may be mild or life threatening but usually subsides. The pancreas is an organ in the upper abdomen that produces digestive fluids and the hormone insulin. In acute pancreatitis, inflammation develops quickly and subsides within a few days but can last for a few weeks. In chronic pancreatitis, the pancreas is persistently inflamed, which causes permanent damage. Acute pancreatitis can occur as chronic pancreatitis, too occurred over the course of many years. Mild cases of pancreatitis may go away without treatment, but severe cases can cause life-threatening complications.

SOME COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ACUTE PANCREATITIS  

• Upper abdominal pain

• Abdominal pain that radiates to your back

• Abdominal pain that feels worse after eating

• Fever

• Rapid pulse

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Tenderness when touching the abdomen

• Weight loss 

• Oily, smelly stools (steatorrhea)

Causes

Pancreatitis occurs when digestive enzymes become activated while still in the pancreas, irritating the cells of your pancreas and causing inflammation. Conditions that can lead to pancreatitis include:

• Alcoholism

• Gall stones

• Abdominal surgery

• Certain medications

• Smoking

• Cystic fibrosis

• Family history 

• High calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia) caused by hyperparathyroidism

• High triglyceride levels in the blood (hypertriglyceridemia)

• Infection

• Injury to the abdomen

• Pancreatic Cancer

• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), a procedure used to treat gallstones, can also lead to Pancreatitis

DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT

Diagnosis

1. Blood tests to check  for elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes

2. Stool tests to measure levels of fat to determine if the digestive system isn't absorbing nutrients adequately

3. Computerized Tomography (CT) scan to look for gallstones and assess pancreas inflammation

4. Abdominal ultrasound to detect gallstones and pancreas inflammation

5. Endoscopic ultrasound to check for inflammation and blockages in the pancreatic or bile duct

6. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look for abnormalities in the gallbladder, pancreas and ducts

In addition, your doctor may recommend other tests, depending on your case. 

Treatment: Initial treatments in the hospital may include:

• Fasting. in order to give the pancreas a chance to recover

• Pain medications. that may help control the pain

• Intravenous (IV) fluids. During the process, your body devotes energy and fluids to repair your pancreas, you might become dehydrated. Thus, you'll receive extra fluids through a vein in your arm. 

• Depending on the cause of your pancreatitis, treatment may include certain other procedures such as  removing bile duct obstruction. 

• Gallbladder surgery. If gallstones are the cause of your pancreatitis, you may be recommended gallbladder removal - cholecystectomy .

• Pancreas surgery. to drain fluid from your pancreas or to remove diseased tissue.

• Treatment for alcohol dependence. If Alcohol  is the cause of your pancreatitis, your doctor may recommend you enroll in treatment programme for alcohol de-addiction. 

While depending on your situation, chronic pancreatitis may require additional treatments, including:

• Pain management

• Enzymes supplement therapy

• Dietary Changes 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. You must make an appointment to see your doctor if you suffer with persistent abdominal pain and are unable to sit still or find a position that makes you more comfortable.

2. Complications

• Pseudocyst. Acute pancreatitis can cause fluid and debris to collect in cystlike pockets in your pancreas. A large pseudocyst that ruptures can cause complications 

• Infection. Acute pancreatitis can make your pancreas vulnerable to serious bacteria and infection. 

• Kidney failure. Acute pancreatitis may cause kidney failure

• Breathing problems. Chemical changes caused by Acute Pancreatis may affect lung function

• Diabetes. Chronic pancreatitis can lead to diabetes 

• Malnutrition. Both acute and chronic pancreatitis can cause your pancreas to produce fewer of the enzymes needed to break down and process nutrients. This can lead to malnutrition, diarrhea and weight loss initially. 

• Pancreatic cancer. Long-standing chronic pancreatitis is a risk factor for developing pancreatic cancer.

       3.  Recommended Lifestyle Adaptations 

• Stop drinking alcohol. 

• Stop smoking. 

• Choose a low-fat diet. Choose a diet that limits fat and emphasizes fibre

• Drink more fluids. Pancreatitis can cause dehydration, so drink more fluids throughout the day. 

Alternative medicine to better cope up with pain : Alternative therapies can't treat pancreatitis though.  They may help you cope up with the pain associated with pancreatitis. Few examples of alternative therapies are Meditation, Relaxation exercises, Yoga, Acupuncture.