How is pancreatitis treated?
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis may require supportive care, gallstone removal, antibiotics, and procedures to drain fluid or remove dead tissue. Chronic pancreatitis treatment includes pain management, lifestyle changes, enzyme supplements, insulin injections, and surgery if necessary.
How can pancreatitis be prevented?
Prevention measures include moderating alcohol consumption, reducing cholesterol to prevent gallstones, quitting alcohol and smoking if you've had pancreatitis before, and removing the gallbladder in cases of gallstone pancreatitis.
What is pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis is inflammation in your pancreas. Inflammation causes swelling and pain. If you have pancreatitis, it might feel like stomach pain that spreads to your back.
Where is the pancreas located?
The pancreas is an organ in your abdomen, sitting between your stomach and your spine.
What is the function of the pancreas?
The pancreas is involved in digestion and regulating blood sugar. It makes digestive enzymes and hormones, such as insulin.
What are the two types of pancreatitis?
The two types of pancreatitis are acute and chronic.
What is acute pancreatitis?
Acute pancreatitis is a temporary condition that occurs when the pancreas is recovering from a minor, short-term injury.
What is chronic pancreatitis?
Chronic pancreatitis is a long-term, progressive condition that gets worse over time and eventually causes lasting damage to the pancreas.
How common is pancreatitis in the U.S.?
Acute pancreatitis leads to 275,000 hospital stays per year, while chronic pancreatitis leads to 86,000 hospital stays per year.
What are the symptoms of pancreatitis?
The primary symptom of pancreatitis is abdominal pain. Additional symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, fast heart rate, fast, shallow breathing, fever, indigestion, pain after eating, loss of appetite, unintended weight loss, fatty stools, lightheadedness, and breakdown of pancreatic functions.
How does the pain of pancreatitis feel like?
The abdominal pain from pancreatitis can be moderate to severe and may radiate to the back. Acute pancreatitis tends to be more severe, while chronic pancreatitis may vary in intensity and can be constant or worsen after eating.
What symptoms indicate that the pancreas isn't working properly?
When chronic pancreatitis affects pancreatic function, symptoms may include discomfort after eating, passing undigested fats in the stool, and weight loss.