Pancreatitis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Pancreatitis is a medical condition mainly related to inflammation of the pancreas. This condition needs greater awareness.

In this blog, we will understand what is pancreatitis and what the pancreatitis symptoms are. We will also explore pancreatitis causes, its types and diagnosis. We will then look at the pancreatitis treatment options available.

What is Pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis is a medical condition associated with the inflammation of the pancreas. The gland pancreas is a large, flat gland situated right behind the stomach and close to the small intestine. It performs two main functions – one, it secretes a digestive enzyme in the small intestine so that we are able to digest the food we eat. Two, it releases insulin and glucagon in the body which are responsible for controlling how the body will use food for obtaining energy. The pancreas can be damaged when it releases digestive enzymes earlier than required.

What are the Types of Pancreatitis?

There are two types of pancreatitis - Acute Pancreatitis and Chronic Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is associated with sudden inflammation which lasts for a short period of time. Its severity might range from uneasiness to a serious illness. Patients with acute pancreatitis when given the right treatment recover completely. In case of extreme pancreatitis bleeding, cysts, infections, and tissue damage can be noticed. In some severe cases, it might cause damage to the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

Chronic pancreatitis is characterised by inflammation that usually lasts for a longer period. It develops after the patient has had acute pancreatitis. Another reason cited for the development of chronic pancreatitis is alcohol consumption. You might not notice the harm that frequent alcohol consumption has on the pancreas for a long time but then suddenly suffer from an episode of chronic pancreatitis.

Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatitis

Let us now understand the symptoms of pancreatitis. We will understand acute pancreatitis symptoms and chronic pancreatitis symptoms separately.

So, here are the symptoms of pancreas problems:

Symptoms of acute pancreatitis

• Fever
• Increased heart rate
• A feeling of nausea and vomiting
• Discomfort in the upper abdominal region that might have an impact on the back. Moreover, the consumption of foods that are rich in fat might cause your condition to worsen.

Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis

• Persistent pain in the upper part of the abdomen that goes to the back, leads to some impairment.
• Diarrhea and weight loss because the pancreas is not able to release adequate enzymes in order to break food particles.
• Disturbed stomach and episodes of vomiting.

Causes of Pancreatitis

Let us now understand pancreatitis causes.

Causes for acute pancreatitis include:

• Autoimmune condition
• Alcohol consumption
• Infections
• Gallstones
• Medicines
• Metabolic disorder
• Surgery
• Trauma

Moreover, in around 15% of people, the cause behind acute pancreatitis is unknown.

Causes for chronic pancreatitis are listed below:

• Cystic fibrosis
• Family history of pancreas disorder
• Presence of gallstones
• Elevated triglyceride levels
• Frequent alcohol consumption
• Different medications

The cause of chronic pancreatitis is unknown in about 20-30% of the patients. People who suffer from chronic pancreatitis are mostly men in the age group of 30 to 40.  Moreover, African Americans are more prone to develop chronic pancreatitis than any other racial group in the U.S.

Complications Associated with Pancreatitis

Some of the major complications that may arise due to pancreatitis are -

• Development of pancreatitis due to damage to insulin-producing cells.
• Kidney failure
• Pancreatic infection
• Malnutrition is caused in the body when it fails to get enough nutrients from the food because of less production of digestive enzymes.
• Development of pancreatic cancer
• Pancreatic necrosis is when the tissues in the pancreas die due to less supply of blood in the pancreas.
• Respiratory issues because of chemical alterations in the body which affect the lungs also.

Pseudocysts are when there is a collection of fluids in the pockets of the pancreas which can sometimes burst and cause infection.

Diagnosis of Pancreatitis

To diagnose acute pancreatitis your doctor first of all will apply some pressure to the abdomen in order to check for tenderness. Further, he will examine you on the basis of several indicators such as low blood pressure, low fever, and increased pulse rate.

To diagnose chronic pancreatitis the doctor will suggest an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI to identify if the pancreas is calcified. To examine if the pancreas is no longer producing enzymes for fat digestion adequately, the doctor will conduct blood tests and check your stool for excess fat. A pancreatic function test might be given to you to check if they are releasing digestive enzymes properly. Moreover, an evaluation for diabetes might also be conducted.

For diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, your doctor will examine the blood tests to calculate if amylase and lipase- the two digestive enzymes are functioning properly. Increased levels of these enzymes might mean that you have developed acute pancreatitis. Moreover, an examination for white blood cells, blood sugar, calcium, and liver function will also be done.

In order to see if the pancreas is secreting the right number of digestive enzymes a Pancreatic function test will be conducted. The pancreas is examined based on an ultrasound. CT scan or an MRI to see for inflammation and the presence of cysts and other causes like bile duct issues and gallstones. Your doctor might make use of ERCP with a camera on one end to look at the pancreas and bile ducts. The physician might make use of a Biopsy, in which your doctor uses a needle to remove a small piece of tissue from the pancreas for examination.

Treatment of Pancreatitis

Let us now understand pancreatitis treatment for both acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis treatment:

Treatment for acute pancreatitis

If you suffer from an episode of acute pancreatitis then you might be prescribed strong pain relief medications. You might also have to get your stomach drained by placing a tube through your nose. If the pain persists for a longer time, then you might be fed and hydrated with the help of a vein.

You might be admitted to the hospital and the treatment may include antibiotics in case of an infection and intravenous (IV) fluids, given with the help of a needle. You might be put on a low-fat diet or fasting, as the doctor might ask you to stop consuming food so the pancreas can recover.

In case your condition is more severe, you might have to undergo an Endoscopic Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), a procedure where a tube is inserted in the stomach from the nose and upper intestine to remove gallstones if they are acting as a blockage in the bile and pancreatic ducts. If necessary, a small incision will also be made to remove stones in the bile ducts, or incursion of a plastic tube known as a stent in the ducts to get rid of the obstruction.

You might also have to undergo gallbladder surgery if gallstones are responsible for pancreatitis.

Also, a Pancreas surgery might be performed to remove the fluids and dead tissues.

Treatment for chronic Pancreatitis

In the case of chronic Pancreatitis, the focus will be on treating the pain, taking measures to prevent dependency on painkillers, and focusing on the complications that may affect your digestion process. To restore the digestive tract’s ability to digest nutrients from the food you might be put on pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy which will also help in reducing the likelihood of new attacks.

You might require insulin for diabetes treatment, or in general, you may need pain medication. Pancreatic enzyme therapy can also be utilised to help the body get enough nutrients from your food. Surgical interventions or medical procedures are done to alleviate pain and remove gallstones and obstructions. Injection of anaesthetics into the nerves close to the spine may give you relief.  If the pain fails to respond to the medication or nerve blocks then as a last resort to give relief is the removal of damaged pancreatic tissue.

How to Prevent Pancreatitis?

There is no definite list that can help prevent pancreatitis. However, healthy and conscious lifestyle changes can help you keep these conditions in check. Pancreatitis is caused by excess alcohol consumption, and prevention focuses on reducing alcohol. Stop smoking, follow the instructions given by your doctor and dietician in taking your medicines on time in order to reduce and have milder attacks of pancreatitis.

Conclusion

Pancreatitis is caused due to the inflammation of the pancreas. Hopefully, this blog helped you understand what are pancreatitis and pancreatitis treatment. We also delved into symptoms of pancreas problems including chronic pancreatitis symptoms. In case you suffer from any of these symptoms make sure you consult your doctor. Additionally, having health insurance can provide valuable support by covering diagnostic tests, treatments, and hospitalizations, ensuring you can focus on your recovery without worrying about financial stress.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.

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