Pancreatitis: Signs and Symptoms, Causes, Types, Complications, Diagnosis, and Treatment.

 

Pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis:

The pancreas is a Greek word meaning 'all flesh'. The pancreas is a very important part of the body. The pancreas has two functions. Making digestive juices or enzymes. Which helps us digest food. These enzymes made in the pancreas help in the digestion of three types of food like sugar, meat, and fat. The pancreas is connected to the intestines by some ducts. With which the digestive juices made in the pancreas reach the intestines. After that, the process of digestion of food begins. This is called the exocrine pancreas. Another function of the pancreas is to produce insulin, or hormone that regulates blood sugar. This is called the endocrine pancreas. Usually, after the digestive juices or enzymes are made, they remain inactive in the pancreas. They are activated as soon as they reach the intestines. And the ability to digest food is created. But if for some reason the enzymes become active while they are in the pancreas, then it starts digesting the pancreas gland itself. This process of digestion results in the release of inflammatory mediators. Which causes inflammation. This inflammation of the pancreas is called pancreatitis.

 

Signs and symptoms of pancreatitis:

Some common signs and symptoms are:

• Acute abdominal pain and back pain.
• Indigestion and bloating.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• May cause diabetes.
• Fast heartbeat.
• As digestive juices do not reach the intestines, stomach problems start when you eat protein or fatty foods.
• Fever.
• Diarrhea.
• Weight loss.
• Shortness of breath.
• Closure of the pancreas or gallbladder duct.
• Excessive sweating.

Causes of pancreatitis:

Acute pancreatitis can occur for a variety of reasons. The main causes are said to be gallstones and excessive drinking. Women are more likely to have acute pancreatitis, usually due to gallstones. And in the case of men because of alcohol. Also, increased levels of lipids or calcium in the body can cause this disease. Even if the pancreas is injured in any way, there is a possibility of getting this disease. Doctors also believe that the disease can be caused by side effects of drugs or steroids, viral infections, and some surgical side effects. Acute pancreatitis is more likely to be due to genetic or unknown reasons. Alcohol is one of the most important causes of chronic pancreatitis. Besides, if the ducts of the pancreas are blocked for any reason, the digestive juices do not reach the intestines. In that case also the possibility of chronic pancreatitis.

Types of pancreatitis:

Pancreatitis can be divided into two types:

• Acute pancreatitis, and
• Chronic pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis:

Acute pancreatitis may be a sudden inflammation that lasts for a short time. It can range from mild discomfort to severe, life-threatening illnesses. Most people with acute pancreatitis recover completely after proper treatment. In severe cases, acute pancreatitis can cause bleeding, severe tissue damage, infection, and cysts. Severe pancreatitis can also damage other vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

Chronic pancreatitis:

Chronic pancreatitis often occurs after acute pancreatitis. And one of the main reasons for this is to drink a lot of alcohol for a long time. Symptoms of damage to your pancreas caused by heavy alcohol use may not appear for many years, then suddenly severe symptoms of your pancreas may appear.

Complications of pancreatitis:

• Pancreatitis can lead to many complications, for example, if the pancreas is damaged, the digestive juices that are there can accumulate and cause problems.
• Pancreatitis can lead to the Systemic of Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS). As a result, blood vessels throughout the body lose their ability to hold blood or fluid. This causes the blood vessels to start leaking. Fluid leaks and collects in the tissue, causing shock to the patient. There is a risk of death in the initial stage from this shock. Acute pancreatitis has three parts. Mild, moderate, and severe. 90% of the patients fall under mild or moderate. Severe pancreatitis occurs in 10 percent of patients. In this case, the risk of death is high.
• Blood and fluid leak out of the blood vessels, causing a lack of blood to circulate throughout the body. At the same time, if the system of the inflammatory response syndrome, the five main organs of the body, such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, the brain can be gradually crippled.
• There is a possibility of diabetes.
• The bile duct becomes narrower. As a result, the fear of jaundice remains.
• If chronic pancreatitis lasts for a long time, there is also a possibility of cancer in the pancreas. 

Diagnosis of pancreatitis:

Pancreatitis is diagnosed in the following ways:

• The disease is usually diagnosed by testing the enzymes amylase and lipase in the blood. The amount of amylase in the urine can also be tested. In addition to the overall blood test (CBC), blood sugar levels, calcium levels, creatinine levels, liver enzyme levels (ALT, AST) are tested. Seeing all this gives an idea about the disease and the overall condition of the disease. 
• MRI scan: In this test, the doctor can find out the real cause of the disease with the help of the pancreatic tube image. 
• Abdominal ultrasound: It helps to diagnose gall bladder stones. 
• CT scan: It helps to take a 3-D picture of the gland. 
• X-rays and biopsy also helps to diagnose pancreatitis.

Treatment of pancreatitis:

Sudden inflammation of the pancreas is an emergency condition. Treatment should be started by hospitalization as soon as possible. Remember, it is better to admit a patient to a hospital where ICU is available. This is because at this time the patient's various organs suddenly become paralyzed, which can lead to respiratory problems. In that case, ICU or CCU is urgent. Surgery is mandatory for gallstones. However, surgery should be done only after curing pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis can be completely cured. Doctors, however, say that if someone repeatedly suffers from acute pancreatitis, the pancreas tends to be damaged. In that case, the chances of 100 percent recovery are reduced. So much more care has to be taken.

In the case of chronic only symptoms are treated. If it is not digested properly, then enzyme supplement has to be given. If there is pain, pain medication is given. In many cases, the digestive juices remain in the pancreas and cannot reach the intestines. In that case, it is bypassed by endoscopy or surgery so that the digestive juices can reach the intestines.

Acute pancreatitis can be completely cured by following the doctor's advice. And in case of chronic, much more care has to be taken.