What is Pancreatitis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Diagnosis

What is Pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis is a condition characterised by inflammation of the pancreas. It can be acute (when it develops in a short period) or chronic (when it is present for a long time).

The pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach and is responsible for producing blood-sugar-regulating hormones like insulin and enzymes to help digestion. When pancreatitis goes unnoticed, it can lead to complications, which may be life-threatening.

Causes of Pancreatitis

The pancreas produces enzymes to digest food. While these enzymes are meant to get activated once they reach the small intestine, sometimes they get activated inside the pancreas.

When the digestive enzymes released by the pancreas get activated inside the gland, they may digest the pancreatic tissue, resulting in swelling, bleeding and damage to blood vessels. This causes acute pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis is more common in men than women.

There can be several causes for pancreatitis:

• Gallstones
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Some medications
• Genetic disorders that affect the pancreas
• Viral or parasitic infections
• Abdominal injuries
• Pancreatic cancer
• Pancreas divisum
• Blockage in the pancreatic duct
• High lipid levels
• High blood calcium levels
• Cystic fibrosis
• Reye syndrome
• Overactive parathyroid gland

In a few cases, the exact cause of pancreatitis may be unclear. This is called idiopathic pancreatitis.

Common Pancreatitis Symptoms

A few common symptoms of pancreatitis include:

• Abdominal pain (moderate to severe, that may radiate to the back)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Increased heart rate
• Fast breathing (which is often shallow)
• Fever
• Indigestion and pain after eating
• Loss of appetite
• Unintended weight loss
• Fatty stools that leave an oily film in the toilet
• Lightheadedness (usually due to low blood pressure)
• Clay-coloured stools
• Bloating and feeling full all the time
• Jaundice
• Abdominal swelling

Long-term pancreatitis begins to affect the function of the gland. Digestive symptoms are usually the first to appear.

The symptoms of acute and chronic pancreatitis are slightly different.

Symptoms of acute pancreatitis

• Abdominal pain starts slowly or suddenly, usually in the upper abdomen
• The pain may sometimes spread to the back
• The pain can be mild or severe and may last several days

Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis

• The pain usually begins in the abdomen but spreads to your back.
• Constant and severe pain that may become severe after eating

How is Pancreatitis Treated?

Before your doctor determines a pancreatitis treatment plan for you, it is important to determine the cause of your pancreatitis. Your doctor may run a few diagnostic tests and perform a physical examination to evaluate your signs and symptoms.

Diagnostic signs of pancreatitis include:

• Feeling a lump or mass in the abdomen
• Fever
• Low blood pressure
• Increased heart rate
• Rapid breathing

Your lab tests may show a rise in pancreatic enzymes including increased amylase, serum blood lipase and amylase levels in the urine.

The treatment varies for acute and chronic pancreatitis and depends on the severity of the condition. While most people with acute pancreatitis require pain-relieving medications, some may require emergency treatment.

Treatment for acute pancreatitis

Supportive treatment

• Pain-relief medication either orally or directly into the blood via injections
• IV (intravenous) fluids may be needed as pancreatitis causes dehydration and hydration is essential for healing.
• Tube feeding may be given if you are unable to consume food through your mouth or tolerate it.
• Additional treatment, like antibiotics, may be needed in some cases.

Gallstone removal

If gallstones cause pancreatitis, they may have to be removed. The technique for surgery used will be decided by your doctor.

Treatment for chronic pancreatitis

If you have been diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis, you may be referred to a gastroenterologist. Treatment for pancreatitis usually includes lifestyle changes and pain management. You must avoid alcohol and smoking and eat a low-fat diet with plenty of fibre.

If you have chronic pain, you may be prescribed medications or referred to a specialist for chronic pain management. In cases of severe and chronic inflammation of the pancreas, the affected part may be removed by surgery (called a resection procedure)

Complications of Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis can be treated and cured but has a high chance of returning. The chance of relapse depends upon the cause of the pancreatitis and how well it has been treated the first time.

A few complications of acute pancreatitis may include:

• Acute kidney failure
• Long-term lung damage
• Fluid build-up in the abdomen (a condition called ascites)
• Cyst or abscess in the pancreas
• Heart failure

The good news is that pancreatitis can be prevented. However, you must understand that not all cases are preventable, especially if you are at high risk for developing this condition. Here are some lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk of developing this condition:

• Avoid alcohol or moderate your consumption of the same.
• Reducing your cholesterol levels
• Increase your intake of dietary fibre
• Lower your consumption of high-cholesterol foods

Wrapping it Up

Pancreatitis is a serious condition that can cause significant discomfort and potentially life-threatening complications. By recognising the warning signs like abdominal pain, nausea and fever, you can seek prompt medical attention and receive an accurate diagnosis.

Understanding the various causes including alcohol consumption and gallstones, can help you and others with this condition make lifestyle changes to reduce their risk.

Whether it be through medication, dietary modifications or surgical intervention, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is crucial in managing pancreatitis effectively.

If you have any concerns or would like to undergo diagnostic tests to assess the health of your pancreas, call us at Metropolis Labs today! We are a trusted provider of comprehensive healthcare services and we provide home-based collection of blood samples at your convenience. Visit our website to know more.