Pancreatitis
Digestive System Disorder
Effects
Inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach that release pancreatic amylases and aid in digestion within the small intestine. It also release hormones such as insulin and glucagon to assist with maintaining blood sugar levels. Damage is done to the pancreas when digestive enzymes become active before entering the small intestines and attack the pancreas.
Symptoms
Symptoms includes pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, fever, heart rate, and vomiting, it can be aggravated by eating foods high in fat.
Causes
This disorder can be brought about by heavy alcohol consumption, gallstones, surgeries, infections, medications or trauma.
Diagnosis
In order to diagnos pancreatitis, doctors use blood tests to see how much amylase and lipase is in the blood. High levels of the enzymes suggest pancreatitis.
Treatment
Acute - is a single attack and can lead to chronic Pancreitis.
Chronic pancreatitis is long term, incurable pancreatitis.
Acute - IV fluids and medication, put in ICU to ensure damage to other organs is reduced
Chronic - painkillers, pancreatic enzymes and insulin. In some cases surgeries are use to reduce pain.