Many times when we hear about certain diseases, we have a vague idea of what they are, but we don’t know exactly what their symptoms are or what consequences they can bring to our health. This is the case with pancreatitis, for example, the main disease that affects the pancreas and which is not uncommon, yet remains little known by many of us. Knowing how to take the necessary steps for the disease to be cured more quickly is very important, which is why we will explain in more depth what pancreatitis is. What are the types, symptoms, causes, and treatments of pancreatitis? But before anything else, do you know exactly what the pancreas is and what its functions are?
What is the Pancreas?
The pancreas is a gland that is part of the digestive and endocrine system, located behind the stomach and measures between 12 and 15 centimeters. It fulfills two important functions in the human body. The part destined for the digestive system produces pancreatic juice with digestive enzymes capable of reducing the size of sugars, fats, and proteins that go on to the intestine. On the other hand, its endocrine part is responsible for hormones that regulate blood glucose levels such as insulin and glucagon. Knowing what this organ is and how it functions in the human body is essential to understanding how pancreatitis acts and why it can be so dangerous. And now that you understand what the pancreas is, we can talk specifically about the disease. So, what is pancreatitis?
What is Pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the pancreas and is usually more common in men than in women. In some cases, the disease can develop quickly and become very serious, causing permanent damage to the body and even leading the patient to death. Pancreatitis can be chronic or acute.
Acute Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis can appear suddenly and disappear just as quickly after the start of treatment. It is usually caused by gallstones that cause inflammation in the pancreas and also in the bile duct. Additionally, acute pancreatitis can also be caused by alcohol consumption.
Chronic Pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis does not improve with treatment and may get worse over time. It can develop from acute pancreatitis, but its main cause is years of alcohol consumption. Cystic fibrosis and autoimmune diseases are also associated with inflammation of the pancreas.
Causes of Pancreatitis
The disease begins when the enzymes produced to assist digestion are activated while still inside the pancreas, causing inflammation. Ideally, these enzymes should only be activated once they reach the intestine. However, pancreatitis is much more common in people who have these risk factors:
- Alcoholics and smokers;
- Family members with pancreatitis;
- Use of certain medications;
- High levels of calcium in the blood;
- Gallstones and stones in the gallbladder;
- Pancreatic cancer.
These factors can lead to both chronic and acute pancreatitis.
Main symptoms of Pancreatitis
The symptoms vary depending on the type of pancreatitis. In the case of acute pancreatitis, the main symptoms are:
- Fever;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Swelling in the abdominal area;
- Pain in the upper abdomen that worsens after eating.
As for chronic pancreatitis, the main symptoms are:
- Yellow stools and diarrhea;
- Fever;
- Weight loss;
- Nausea and vomiting.
How is the Diagnosis Made?
If you show some of these symptoms and also belong to the risk group, don’t waste time and see a doctor. The sooner it is diagnosed, the greater the chances of a cure. The diagnosis of pancreatitis can be made through blood tests where it is possible to analyze the digestive enzymes and determine if the patient does or does not have inflammation. Analysis also includes the number of white blood cells, which tends to increase in these cases, as well as liver enzymes. In addition, doctors may also order imaging tests such as a CT scan, an abdominal ultrasound, or an endoscopic ultrasonography.
Treatment of Pancreatitis
In general, treatment for pancreatitis requires hospitalization and observation. The course of action from then on will depend on the type of disease. In the case of acute pancreatitis, during hospitalization, medications will be administered intravenously to control inflammation and pain, such as painkillers. It may worsen in a short period and can also improve naturally. For this reason, treatment often focuses on controlling the symptoms, since the disease often resolves on its own. However, for this cure to happen, some measures must be taken. One of the main ones is with diet, which aims to allow the pancreas to rest so that the medicines have a better effect. Staying hydrated is also extremely important. In more severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary, especially when bleeding, fluid secretion, and the appearance of dead tissue in the pancreas occur. When it comes to chronic pancreatitis, the treatment is also not much different, involving a diet based on foods low in fat and easy to digest, such as fish, vegetables, and eggs, for example. Also, supplementation with pancreatic enzymes is often necessary, as they may be lacking in your body. In this type of pancreatitis, in more severe cases, surgery may also be needed.
Possible Complications
When there is no treatment, or it is not performed correctly, pancreatitis can lead to a number of complications. Among them are:
- Breathing problems
- Fluid accumulation in the pancreas
- Abdominal swelling
- Diabetes
- Pancreatic cancer
- Death
It is possible to prevent anything from the simplest to the most complex problems, such as diabetes and pancreatic cancer. However, it is necessary to strictly follow the treatment, paying close attention to your diet and your daily habits. Without this, the chances of a person dying increase.
Ways to Prevent
The main way to prevent pancreatitis is to reduce alcohol consumption, since this is one of the main villains of the disease. It is also important to maintain a healthy diet and drink plenty of water to prevent the formation of stones. In addition, it is essential to know the medications you take regularly and whether they can cause the disease: talk to your doctor and if you have any of the risk factors, be sure to inform them. Regular consultations with a professional are the best way to prevent not only pancreatitis but most diseases. Pancreatitis is a disease that requires adaptation, not only in your diet but often in your entire lifestyle. Although there are risk factors that make some people more likely than others to develop the disease, the truth is that you need to pay attention to your body even if you are not in this group. The best way to do this is to keep your tests up to date and maintain healthy habits so that diseases like pancreatitis do not affect you so easily. But if that does happen, you have now read that there are ways to treat and live normally even with the disease. There is no reason to panic, even though it may require some readjustment in your life. Also see: Ascites: What it is, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments Photo: Illu_pancrease_català.png
