Acute Pancreatitis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
Inflammation of the pancreas causes acute pancreatitis, a serious condition. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and hormones that regulate blood sugar levels. The effects of acute pancreatitis include severe pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and other complications.
Causes of Acute Pancreatitis
There are many possible causes of acute pancreatitis, but some of the most common ones are:
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Drinking too much alcohol. Alcohol can damage the pancreas and interfere with its function. Excessive alcohol use can lead to chronic pancreatitis and acute pancreatitis.
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Gallstones. Gallstones are hard deposits of cholesterol or bile that form in the gallbladder. They can block the flow of bile from the gallbladder to the small intestine, causing inflammation and infection in the gallbladder and pancreas.
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Medications. Some medications can cause allergic reactions or side effects that affect the pancreas. These include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, and chemotherapy drugs.
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Infections. Bacterial or viral infections can trigger inflammation in the pancreas or spread from other organs to the pancreas.
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Autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases are conditions where the immune system attacks healthy cells by mistake. Some autoimmune diseases that can affect the pancreas are type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease.
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Metabolic disorders. Metabolic disorders are conditions where the body cannot process certain substances properly. These include cystic fibrosis, Wilson’s disease, and hemochromatosis.
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Surgery or trauma. Surgery or trauma to the abdomen can injure the pancreas or cause bleeding into it.
In some cases, the cause of acute pancreatitis is unknown.
Symptoms of Acute Pancreatitis
It depends on the severity and location of inflammation in the pancreas to determine the symptoms of acute pancreatitis. Some people may have mild symptoms that go unnoticed until complications arise.
Pain in the upper abdomen radiating to the back or shoulder blade is the most common symptom of acute pancreatitis. This pain may be constant or intermittent. It may worsen when lying flat or after eating fatty foods.
Other symptoms of acute pancreatitis include:
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Nausea and vomiting
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Fever
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Rapid heart rate
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Swelling and tenderness in the abdomen
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Loss of appetite
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Weight loss
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Diarrhea or constipation
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Fatty stools
Some people may also experience:
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Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
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Dark urine
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Clay-colored stools
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Dehydration
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Shock
Diagnosis of Acute Pancreatitis
To diagnose acute pancreatitis, your doctor will ask you about your medical history and symptoms, perform a physical examination, and order some tests.
Acute pancreatitis can be diagnosed using blood tests, urine tests, stool tests, abdominal ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRI scans. In a blood test, you can find out how well your pancreas, liver, kidneys, and immune system are functioning by measuring various levels of substances in your blood. An acute pancreatitis-related infection or kidney damage can be detected by urine tests. Acute pancreatitis-related malabsorption or bleeding can be detected by stool tests. With abdominal ultrasound, images of your internal organs are created using sound waves. CT scans create detailed images of your internal organs based on X-rays. They can detect gallstones in your gallbladder or inflammation in your pancreatic ducts or gallbladder. Fluid buildup around your lungs, bleeding into your abdomen, infection, tumors, perforations of the pancreatic duct, or necrosis of the pancreatic tissue can be detected. MRI scans use magnetic fields to create detailed images of your internal organs without exposing you to radiation. They can detect abnormalities in your pancreatic ducts, blood vessels, or tissues.
Treatment for Acute Pancreatitis
If you have acute pancreatitis, you may require a hospital stay to treat dehydration, pain, infection, and complications. You may receive intravenous (IV) fluids, pain medicine, antibiotics, and nutrition through a feeding tube or mouth. The removal of gallstones, the drainage of fluid from the abdomen, or the removal of damaged pancreatic tissue may all require surgery or procedures.
Some of the specific treatments that may be used for acute pancreatitis are:
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Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): This is a procedure that uses an endoscope (a thin tube with a camera and tools) to locate and remove gallstones that block the bile or pancreatic ducts.
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Gallbladder surgery: This is a surgery that removes the gallbladder if it causes acute pancreatitis due to gallstones.
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Pancreas procedures: These are procedures that use an endoscope or other tools to drain fluid from the pancreas or remove diseased tissue from the pancreas.
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Treatment for alcohol dependence: If excessive alcohol use has caused acute pancreatitis, a treatment program for alcohol addiction is recommended.
Prevention of Acute Pancreatitis
To prevent acute pancreatitis, avoid or limit alcohol consumption, eat a low-fat diet, take medications as prescribed, treat infections promptly, and manage chronic conditions such as diabetes or gallstones.
Some of the specific prevention strategies that may be used for acute pancreatitis are:
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Excessive alcohol use can cause chronic pancreatitis and acute pancreatitis. Avoiding alcohol: Alcohol can damage the pancreas and interfere with its function. You should avoid alcohol until your condition has fully recovered if you have previously experienced acute pancreatitis.
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A high-fat diet can increase your risk of gallstones and pancreatic inflammation. Limit your intake of fatty foods, including fried foods, butter, cheese, cream, fatty meats, and pastries. In addition, you should eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products.
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Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and other medications can cause allergic reactions or side effects that affect the pancreas. painkillers, and chemotherapy drugs. You should follow your doctor’s instructions on how to take these medications safely and effectively. You should also inform your doctor about any other medications you are taking or plan to take.
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Infections of the pancreas can cause inflammation or spread from other organs to the pancreas if they are not treated promptly. In addition to fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, and clay-colored stools, you should seek medical attention. Antibiotics, medications, and surgery may be necessary in some cases in order to reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms. The best outcome can be achieved with early diagnosis and treatment.
