Acute Pancreatitis

 

ACUTE PANCREATIC Defnition  The pancreas pancreas is a long, long, fat, pear-shaped pear-shaped organ organ located behind behind the stomach. stomach. It makes digestive enzymes and hormones, including insulin. Acute pancreatitis is infammation o the pancreas that occurs suddenly and resolves with proper treatment.

Causes ancreatitis occurs when digestive enzymes are activated in the pancreas instead o  the small intestine. Acute pancreatitis has several causes. In some cases, the cause may be unknown. !nown causes o acute pancreatitis include "bstruction o the pancreatic duct rom# $allstones %ancer &iseases o the duodenum, the 'rst section o the small intestine, wher where e the pancreas empties • • •

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Alcohol (urgery or trauma to the pancreas %ertain medications, such as those that treat cancer Ischemia)insu*cient blood supply to the pancreas %omplications o having endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Risk Factors +actors that may increase your risk o acute pancreatitis include# • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Alcohol abuse +amily history o pancreatitis ersonal history o previous acute pancreatitis %ongenital conditions, such as pancreas divisum I or other viral inections, such as mumps or hepatitis  acterial and parasitic inections ypertriglyceridemia ypertriglycer idemia )elevated blood triglyceride levels  Taking  Taking certain medications, such such as those those that treat high blood pressur pressure e ancreatic cancer yperlipidemia )elevated blood at levels ypercalcemia )elevated blood calcium levels %ystic 'brosis (corpion bite "ccupational e/posure to certain to/ins

 

Symptoms

 

(ymptoms may occur one time or many times. 0epeated fare ups o symptoms are known as attacks. Acute pancreatitis may cause# • • • • • • •

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(evere pain in the center o the upper abdomen that# (ometimes spreads into the upper back Is oten made worse by eating, walking, or lying down on your back 1ausea and vomiting 2ow grade ever  3aundice )yellowing )yellowing o the the skin and eyes 0arely, shock )a medical emergency in which the organs and tissues don4t receive ade5uate blood or fuids 6ntreated acute pancreatitis may progress into chronic pancreatitis , a serious condition where the pancreas becomes permanently damaged.

Diagnosis  7ou  7ou will be asked asked about about your symptoms symptoms and medical history. history. A physical e/am e/am will be done. 7our doctor will ask how much alcohol you drink and what medications you take. &iagnosis can be determined by your symptoms and results rom blood tests.  7our  7our body fuids fuids may be tested. This can be done with# lood tests 6rine tests Images may be taken o your body structures. This can be done with# Abdominal ultrasound Abdominal %T scan Abdominal 80I scan 8agnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography 980%:

Treatment  Treatment  Treatment or acute pancreatitis pancreatitis depends on the severity severity o the attack and what is causing it. +or e/ample, i medication is the cause o your pancreatitis, pancreatitis, your doctor may change to a di;erent medication medication or ad<ust the dose. In most cases, acute pancreatitis isn4t severe and can be treated. Treatment includes# ospitalization $enerally, acute pancreatitis treatment re5uires hospitalization. +luid and nutritional support can be given by I while your pancreas heals. &uring this time, you will be unable to eat or drink. (upplemental (upplemental o/ygen may also be given. I you have severe pancreatitis, you may need a nasogastric tube. A long, thin tube is threaded through your nose and into your stomach or eeding.  7ou  7ou may also start start treatment treatment or any underlying underlying causes o your pancreatitis. pancreatitis.

 

8edications  7our  7our doctor may may recommend# Antibiotics)to treat any inections ain medications rotease inhibitors)to reduce the e;ects o digestive enzymes Insulin)to help regulate blood glucose levels (urgery In general, surgery isn4t necessary or mild pancreatitis. pancreatitis. It may be necessary when medical treatment doesn4t work or more severe cases. (urgery may also be used to treat underlying conditions. (urgical procedures include# 1ecrosectomy)0emoval o dying or dead 9necrotic: pancreatic tissue. ancreatic necrosis is more serious i an inection is present. This procedure can also be done with endoscopy. endoscopy. ercutaneous catheter drainage)"ne or many thin tubes are inserted into the abdomen to drain fuid rom the pancreas. =%0)To remove gallstones or open any collapsed ducts. %holecystectomy )To remove the gallbladder

Prevention  To  To help reduce reduce your chance chance o getting getting acute pancreatitis, pancreatitis, take take these steps# steps# 2imit intake o alcohol to a ma/imum o > drinks per day or men and ? drink per day or women. I you have hyperlipidemia, restrict restrict your intake o at and ollow your doctor@s treatment plan to lower your lipids. Increase your vegetable consumption. Increase your activity level to help lose e/cess weight. Aim or B minutes per day on most days o the week. 8ake sure your vaccinations are up to date. This includes mumps, rubella , hepatitis , and varicella .

0evision Inormation 0eviewer# 8ichael Coods, 8& 0eview &ate# ?>D>B?E 6pdate &ate# ?>D>BD>B?E -