ACUTE PANCREATITIS - WatsonsHealth

ACUTE PANCREATITIS

Acute pancreatitis is a short-term illness that affects the pancreas. The pancreas is a body organ that is found behind the stomach and near the small bowels. It creates and secretes insulin, stomach enzymes, and other essential hormones.

It is an inflammation of the pancreas. It happens abruptly and causes pain in the upper abdominal area. The pain may often spread to the back. AP can likewise affect different organs. Repeated episodes may give rise to chronic pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis has signs and symptoms that may include the following:

  • Upper abdominal or epigastric pain
  • Abdominal pain that goes to your back
  • Abdominal pain after eating
  • Fever
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Tenderness of the abdomen

DIAGNOSIS

Your doctor will obtain a medical history and will do a physical exam. Tests may be requested which  may include following:

  • Blood tests such as pancreatic enzyme tests
  • Stool examination
  • Computerized tomography scan of the abdomen
  • Abdominal ultrasound
  • Endoscopic ultrasound
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

 

TREATMENT

The doctor may advise you to do fasting or stop eating so that your pancreas can heal. After the inflammation in the pancreas has subsided, you can drink fluids and eat soft foods. If pancreatitis persists, your doctor may recommend that you have a feeding tube.

Pain medicines, as well as intravenous fluids may be given.

Once your pancreatitis is under control, your physician can treat the basic reason for your pancreatitis. Treatments depend on the primary cause and may include the following:

  • Open surgery
  • Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or ERCP
  • Gallbladder surgery
  • Pancreas surgery
  • Your doctor may also recommend treatment for alcohol dependence

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