Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) – causes, symptoms & therapy

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

Inflammation of the pancreas , also known as pancreatitis in technical terms, causes damage and, as a result, a dysfunction of the organ. In medicine, a distinction is made between a one-time acute inflammation of the pancreas and persistent chronic inflammation of the pancreas.

What is pancreatitis?

The pancreas is an organ that produces substances required for digestive processes.

This organ and its ability to function are damaged in the case of pancreatitis, with the inflammation usually being derived from the effects of external influences. In acute pancreatitis, these are often infections caused by viruses.

The chronic form of pancreatitis, on the other hand, is almost always caused by long-term alcohol abuse . Inflammation of the pancreas can lead to diabetes ( diabetes ), since insulin is also produced in the pancreas. Doctors can use sonography (ultrasound), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) to determine the extent of pancreatitis.

causes

In more than 80 percent of cases, pancreatitis is caused by alcohol abuse or bile duct disease (gallstones). 

In the case of alcohol-induced pancreatitis, the connections have not yet been fully clarified. What is certain, however, is that alcohol impairs many body processes and can lead to pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis can be triggered by excessive alcohol consumption, while chronic pancreatitis can be triggered by long-term alcohol abuse, such as when there is an alcohol disorder.

Gallstones can cause pancreatitis when they block the exit from the pancreas, causing the digestive juices from the pancreas to pool.

In addition to gallstones and alcohol abuse, there are other causes of pancreatitis. For example, metabolic disorders, especially those associated with a very high-fat diet or a disorder in the lipid metabolism, can cause inflammation of the pancreas.

Injuries caused by medical interventions such as endoscopic examinations or operations on the gastrointestinal system are also causes of pancreatitis.

In addition, viruses and occasionally bacteria can be the cause of pancreatitis, whereas genetic causes are rarely observed.

When to the doctor?

Persistent abdominal pain or developing stomach cramps should be evaluated and treated by a doctor. If there is colicky pain in the abdominal region or sudden severe symptoms, a doctor should be consulted immediately. Fever, general malaise or weakness should be checked by a doctor. Treatment measures must be taken to alleviate the symptoms.

A doctor should be consulted if the existing symptoms worsen (nausea and vomiting recurring over several days or worsening).

Before taking any pain-relieving medication, consult a doctor. The side effects must be discussed and risks must be ruled out. You should also see a doctor if you lose a lot of weight or lose your appetite for several days.

If the pain radiates to the back, chest , or lower torso, see a doctor. If flatulence occurs for no apparent reason or if there is a feeling of pressure in the body, a doctor’s visit is necessary.

Since acute pancreatitis can lead to a life-threatening condition, a doctor’s visit is strongly recommended. Acute pancreatitis is usually manifested by sudden, colicky upper abdominal pain. The pain is often so severe that those affected have to adopt a hunched posture. If existing symptoms do not subside within a short time or if the person concerned has an unusual body sensation, a doctor must be consulted as soon as possible.

symptoms and course

The symptoms of pancreatitis differ depending on the type of inflammation.

Acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis causes severe, sudden, colicky pain in the upper abdomen.

The pain often radiates to the surrounding body regions (chest, back). The pain is often so severe that the sufferer lies bent over to relieve the abdomen. The pain often lasts for several days.

Furthermore, symptoms such as flatulence, nausea, vomiting and fever are not uncommon in acute pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis can be life-threatening and should be treated in a hospital as soon as possible.

Chronic pancreatitis

  • Intermittent abdominal pain

Chronic pancreatitis causes recurring pain, but not colicky, in the deep area of ​​the upper abdomen, which can last for hours or days and also radiate in a belt shape to the back. The severe pain in the upper abdomen usually occurs some time after eating a large meal. Basically, the patients often suffer from digestive disorders.

Diagnose

If you suspect pancreatitis, you should see your family doctor. By describing the symptoms, the doctor gets the first indications of an inflammation of the pancreas. As part of the physical examination, he feels the abdomen, which feels rubbery due to increased air in the intestine. If pancreatitis is suspected, the doctor first initiates a blood test in the laboratory. Certain blood values ​​provide information about whether the pancreas is inflamed.

If the enzyme lipase, which is used to split fat in the small intestine, is increasingly detectable in the blood, the suspicion of pancreatitis is strengthened. 30 to 60 units per liter are normal here. If the value is at least three times higher, there is a pathological inflammation of the pancreas. The same applies to the enzyme amylase and the protein LDH. Elevated LDH levels in the blood indicate increased breakdown of cells, as is common with inflammation or tumors.

Imaging methods can also be used for reliable diagnosis. This includes the ultrasound scan , which reveals information about the cause of the inflammation of the pancreas. Because the pancreas cannot be clearly seen during sonography , computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging with very good image resolution can give the doctor final certainty. Endoscopy and a stool examination can also be used to make the diagnosis .

complications

Even if most inflammations of the pancreas (pancreatitis) proceed without major complications, a severe form can be life-threatening. The reason is that large areas of the pancreas can die off. Bleeding is also possible. The course of pancreatitis that has already become chronic depends on how the lifestyle is adapted to the health situation. It is possible that dead tissue becomes infected with bacteria, which can lead to sepsis (blood poisoning) . It can also lead to a blood clotting disorder, bleeding in the pancreas and the development of pancreatic abscesses or pancreatic pseudocysts (chambers filled with fluid).

The rise in blood sugar is just as possible as a fall in calcium levels. Above this there is a risk of circulatory shock . In particularly severe cases, cardiovascular failure and kidney and lung failure can occur. In the course of an initiated therapy, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can occur in alcoholics. Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by irreversible damage to the pancreas. Severe pain, which occurs temporarily, is to be expected in the early stages.

Further complications can occur as chronic pancreatitis progresses. This includes:

  • extensive calcifications in the pancreas and surrounding tissues
  • Formation of constrictions in the duct system and subsequent pancreatic stones with obstruction of the secretion drainage and congestion of the digestive juices
  • Significant digestive disorders including weight loss and deficiency symptoms with diabetes mellitus
  • Pankeas carcinoma (pancreatic cancer) as a late consequence.

treatment and therapy

The treatment of acute pancreatitis is inpatient. The treatment begins with administration of painkillers. So that the activity of the pancreas is largely restricted, the food is supplied with the help of infusions. In addition, a gastric tube is placed and the gastric juice is removed. This treatment usually resolves the inflammation of the pancreas and slowly starts feeding again. This must be done very slowly and carefully so that the patient does not experience another flare-up of pancreatitis.

In addition, irritating food and beverages such as coffee, alcohol or high-fat products must be avoided. The administration of tablets with enzymes is supportive. If gallstones are the cause of the pancreatitis, they will be removed. Since the gallstones have usually led to an accumulation of secretions, the secretions have to be removed via drainage. A stent is placed if the pancreas becomes narrowed as a result of the inflammation of the pancreas.

In rarely severe cases of pancreatitis, it may also be necessary to remove parts of the pancreas.

prevention

Inflammation of the pancreas is primarily caused by gallstones or alcohol abuse. Prevention therefore starts at these points. In order to counteract the formation of gallstones prophylactically, the diet should not be too high in fat.Inflammation of the pancreas caused by alcohol is prevented by not drinking alcohol regularly and only in moderation. As with many diseases, the prevention of pancreatitis can be achieved through a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and limiting alcohol intake.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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