Pancreatitis

The pancreas, located in the abdomen, is responsible for the production of digestive juices and the hormones insulin and glucagon. Inflammation of the pancreas leads to a condition called pancreatitis. Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic.

Acute pancreatitis is usually a milder form of pancreatitis, characterized by sudden and severe abdominal pain. Other symptoms include fever, vomiting, nausea, sweating, swelling in the abdominal region, feeling of fullness due to gas, mild jaundice and clay-coloured stools.

Acute pancreatitis is most often caused by excessive intake of alcohol, genetic factors, autoimmune problems, blockage of the pancreatic duct or common bile duct, which drains digestive enzymes from the pancreas into the intestine, other conditions such as cystic fibrosis and certain medications such as oestrogens and corticosteroids. Acute pancreatitis affects men more often than women.

Acute pancreatitis is diagnosed by various laboratory tests that measure the levels of pancreatic enzyme, and imaging techniques, such as CT scan, MRI and ultrasound, which indicate inflammation of the pancreas.

Treatment of acute pancreatitis is directed towards reducing the inflammation and treating the underlying cause of the condition. Mild cases may require hospital admission, where you will be given pain medication and intravenous fluids, and closely monitored for recovery from your symptoms. Your doctor will stop food and fluid through the mouth to limit the activity of the pancreas. In severe cases, antibiotics may be administered, and surgery performed to remove the infected and damaged pancreas, and remove the obstruction blocking the pancreatic ducts.

Once there is improvement in the attack, one should completely avoid smoking, alcoholic drinks, and fatty foods.

Chronic pancreatitis is a condition where the inflammation of the pancreas does not heal or improve with time, and leads to permanent damage. The most common symptoms include abdominal pain, continuous weight loss (even with a normal diet), diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, pale or clay-coloured stools, and fatty or oily stools.

The most common cause of chronic pancreatitis is alcohol abuse for many years and repeated occurrence of acute pancreatitis (milder form of pancreatitis). Other causes may include genetic factors, autoimmune problems, blockage of the pancreatic duct or the common bile duct which drains digestive enzymes from the pancreas into the intestine, other conditions like cystic fibrosis, and certain medications such as estrogens, corticosteroids and diuretics. The condition is seen more often in men than in women.

Chronic pancreatitis is diagnosed by various laboratory tests that measure the levels of pancreatic enzyme, and imaging techniques such as CT scan, ultrasound, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), which indicate inflammation of the pancreas.

Treatment of chronic pancreatitis is directed towards reducing the inflammation and treating the underlying cause of the condition. You will be required to stay in the hospital where you will be given pain medication and intravenous fluids, and closely monitored for recovery from your symptoms. Your doctor will stop food and fluid through the mouth to limit the activity of the pancreas. Pancreatic enzymes may be prescribed to digest food better and gain weight. Blood sugar (glucose) levels are controlled by taking insulin. If a blockage is found, the obstruction is surgically removed, while in severe cases, a part or the entire pancreas is removed.