What makes the pain of pancreatitis better?
The pain of pancreatitis may feel better when sitting upright, leaning forward, curling in a ball, or eating less.
What symptoms indicate that your pancreas isn't working properly?
When your pancreas isn't working properly, you may experience discomfort after eating, pass undigested fats in your poop, and experience weight loss.
What are the most common causes of pancreatitis?
The most common causes of pancreatitis are gallstones and heavy drinking.
What is gallstone pancreatitis?
Gallstone pancreatitis occurs when a gallstone blocks the drainage of pancreatic juice from the pancreatic duct, causing inflammation and digestive enzyme activation.
What is alcohol-induced pancreatitis?
Alcohol use is a clear cause of pancreatitis, though the exact mechanism is not fully understood.
What are the less common causes of pancreatitis?
Less common causes of pancreatitis include infections, autoimmune disease, inherited gene mutations, complications of cystic fibrosis, high blood triglyceride levels, high blood calcium levels, ischemia, cancer, traumatic injury, and certain medications.
Do acute and chronic pancreatitis have the same causes?
Most of the time, pancreatitis is acute and temporary, but chronic causes that don't go away can lead to chronic pancreatitis.
Can you die from pancreatitis?
Complications of acute pancreatitis can be fatal in severe cases, leading to shock and multiple organ failure.
What are the possible complications of pancreatitis?
Complications of pancreatitis can include necrosis and infection, pancreatic pseudocysts, chronic pancreatitis, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, malabsorption and malnutrition, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia and Type 1 diabetes, chronic pain, and increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
How is pancreatitis diagnosed?
Pancreatitis is diagnosed through blood tests to check pancreatic enzyme levels and imaging tests such as CT scans or MRIs.
How is acute pancreatitis treated?
Treatment for acute pancreatitis may include supportive care, pain relief, gallstone removal procedures, antibiotics, and procedures to drain fluid or remove dead tissue.
How is chronic pancreatitis treated?
Treatment for chronic pancreatitis includes pain management, lifestyle changes, enzyme supplements, insulin injections, and in severe cases, surgery.