The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach and next to the small intestine. The pancreas does two main things:
It releases powerful digestive enzymes into the small intestine to aid the digestion of food.
It releases the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. These hormones help the body control how it uses food for energy.
Pancreatitis is a disease in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. Pancreatic damage happens when the digestive enzymes are activated before they are released into the small intestine and begin attacking the pancreas.
Acute pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis:
Upper abdominal pain that radiates into the back.
Swollen and tender abdomen
Nausea and vomiting
Fever
Increased heart rate
Chronic pancreatitis:
The symptoms of chronic pancreatitis are similar to those of acute pancreatitis.
Diarrhea and weight loss caused by poor absorption (malabsorption) of food. This malabsorption happens because the gland is not releasing enough enzymes to break down food.
To diagnose pancreatitis, Doctors may use tests, such as:
Pancreatic function test to find out if the pancreas is making the right amounts of digestive enzymes
Glucose tolerance test , ERCP to look at the pancreatic and bile ducts using X-rays
Ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI, which make images of the pancreas
Biopsy, in which a needle is inserted into the pancreas to remove a small tissue sample for study
In more advanced stages of the disease, doctors may use blood, urine, and stool tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment for acute pancreatitis
People with acute pancreatitis are typically treated with IV fluids and pain medications in the hospital. In some cases, the pancreatitis can be severe and admitted to an ICU. In the ICU, the patient is closely watched because pancreatitis can damage the heart, lungs or kidneys. Some cases of severe pancreatitis can result in death of pancreatic tissue. In these cases, surgery may be necessary.
Treatment for chronic pancreatitis
In Chronic pancreatitis Doctors will try to relieve the patient’s pain and improve the nutrition problems. Patients are generally given pancreatic enzymes and may need insulin. A low-fat diet may also help.Surgery may be done in some cases to help relieve abdominal pain, restore drainage of pancreatic enzymes or hormones, treat chronic pancreatitis caused by blockage of the pancreatic duct, or reduce the frequency of attacks.
Quit smoking
Avoid Alcohol
Avoid spicy foods
Do not eat roadside beverages