Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis (Pancreatitis) is an inflammation that occurs Depends on the pancreas This causes pancreatic tissue to swell and be destroyed. The pancreas is long, flat and located behind the stomach. and located in the upper abdomen Its function is to produce enzymes that help digest food. and produce hormones that help control the process of sugar in the body.

Pancreatitis can occur suddenly and acutely. Immediately caused severe abdominal pain. Or it may occur chronically, causing abdominal pain that will come and go, which may last for many years.

Patients with mild symptoms Symptoms may go away on their own without treatment. But in very severe cases It can be dangerous and even fatal.

Pancreatitis symptoms Symptoms of pancreatitis vary. Depends on the type of inflammation that occurs as follows:

Acute pancreatitis May cause symptoms such as

• Severe abdominal pain in the upper abdomen The pain may spread to the back. The pain usually lasts for 2-3 days.
• Have abdominal pain that feels more painful when eating
• There is a feeling of pressure and pain. When touching the abdomen or bloating
• Have a fever
• nausea vomiting
• Dehydration and shock (restlessness, sweating, cold body, light or fast pulse, low blood pressure)
• Jaundice symptoms

Chronic pancreatitis May cause symptoms such as

• upper stomach pain The pain comes and goes or the pain is constant.
• Unintentional weight loss It is a result of the body’s inability to absorb nutrients normally.
• Stool has a lot of fat. The stool is gray or pale. Or the stool smells worse than usual.

Causes of pancreatitis Pancreatitis occurs when enzymes from the pancreas that break down food start to function while still in the pancreas. Specifically, a type called trypsin, which is a protein secretion that is normally inactive in the pancreas. But it will continue to work when it enters the small intestine. But when the cells of the pancreas become inflamed due to various causes or risk factors, abnormal chemicals are produced. This stimulates the pancreatic juices, especially trypsin, to work. These gastric juices then break down the cells of the pancreas. and eventually causing pancreatitis

If the pancreatic cells are chronically inflamed It may occur after acute inflammation that cannot be cured. Because the cause still exists, for example, the patient continues to drink alcohol chronically. Or acute inflammation may occur many times. In this chronic inflammation The cells of the pancreas are gradually destroyed until they cannot fully recover. It often becomes permanently fibrotic to the point where it is unable to produce gastric juice and hormones. Impaired pancreatic function often causes problems with the digestive system. and diabetes

Third cause or risk factor Things that can cause pancreatitis include:

• Addicted to alcohol
• smoking
• use of certain medicines
• Gallstones in the gallbladder slipped into the bile duct until causing blockage
• Cystic Fibrosis (Cystic Fibrosis)
• Some type of infection has occurred.
• Have high levels of calcium in the blood This can cause hyperthyroidism.
• Have high triglyceride levels in the blood
• Abdominal injury , such as an accident or abdominal surgery.
• Pancreatic cancer
• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a procedure used to treat gallstones. This can cause pancreatitis.
• Have a family history of pancreatitis

However, in some patients Doctors may not be able to find the cause of pancreatitis.

Diagnosis of pancreatitis Diagnosis of pancreatitis The steps and testing methods will be used, including:

• Laboratory blood tests such as complete blood count (CBC), liver function test (Liver Function tTst), calcium level test in the blood. Check blood sugar levels Check triglycerides (Triglyceride) and check enzymes from the pancreas.
• Stool test is used to examine patients with chronic pancreatitis. To measure the level of fat This may indicate that the digestive system is not able to adequately absorb nutrients.
• computer x -ray (Computerized Tomography: CT Scan)  helps in detecting gallstones in the gallbladder. and helps assess the extent of inflammation occurring in the pancreas
• Abdominal ultrasound To check for gallstones in the gallbladder and inflammation of the pancreas
• Gastrointestinal ultrasound To check for inflammation and blockages in the pancreatic duct or bile duct.
• X-ray examination using electromagnetic waves or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to detect abnormalities occurring in the gallbladder, pancreas, and pancreatic duct.

Additionally, additional tests may be performed, depending on the situation and the doctor’s discretion.

Pancreatitis treatment

Treatment for pancreatitis can be divided into 2 types:

• Treatment of acute pancreatitis
  • Normally, the treatment of patients with acute pancreatitis It will be giving fluids through a blood vessel. and provide pain relief medicine at the hospital Patients may need to abstain from eating and drinking. To reduce the work of the pancreas until the inflammation subsides. The doctor will give saline and intravenous nutrition. To prevent dehydration, shock, and maintain mineral balance until the patient can eat food by mouth.
  • For patients with severe symptoms It may be necessary to stay in the intensive care unit or ICU (Intensive Care Unit: ICU)  where you will be closely monitored. This is because pancreatitis can damage the heart, lungs, or kidneys.
  • In some patients with severe cases, pancreatic tissue can die. If an infection occurs Surgery may be required to remove damaged or dead tissue.
  • If gallstones recur It may be necessary to remove the gallbladder or have bile duct surgery. After the gallstones were removed and the inflammation disappeared. The pancreas will return to normal function.
  • Acute pancreatitis usually lasts only a few days. The patient’s condition usually improves. and recovers normally after receiving treatment for approximately 1-2 weeks

• Treatment of chronic pancreatitis
  • Treating chronic pancreatitis is difficult. Doctors will try to treat it by reducing pain. and to help manage nutritional problems. Patients are generally given pancreatic enzymes. and may need to receive insulin Including adjusting to eating a low-fat diet.
  • Surgery may be necessary for some patients. To help relieve stomach pain Restores pancreatic secretion of enzymes or hormones. Treat pancreatitis caused by blockage of the pancreatic duct. or reduce the frequency of disease relapses
  • Patients with chronic pancreatitis must stop smoking. and stop drinking alcohol as recommended by doctors and nutritionists Including taking medicines strictly as prescribed by the doctor.

Complications of pancreatitis Complications of pancreatitis May occur in some patients. But it is often found in patients with chronic pancreatitis. By illnesses that may occur such as

• Kidney damage
• Pancreatic cancer
• Diabetes
• Malnutrition
• Infection of the pancreas
• Difficulty breathing , dehydration, shock, paleness, especially in patients with acute pancreatitis

Prevention of pancreatitis

Since the most common cause of pancreatitis is alcoholism, appropriate prevention involves reducing or eliminating alcohol use. If you find yourself drinking a lot of alcohol and worry about their own drinking You should consult a doctor or health service center. to find a solution Alcohol addiction treatment or join a group of alcoholics This may be beneficial and help treat alcohol addiction. It also helps reduce other risk factors for pancreatitis. Because it reduces the risk of developing gallbladder stones.

Additionally, pancreatitis may be prevented by not smoking. Use medicine only when needed. And you should always consult with a pharmacist or doctor before buying any medicine to take yourself.

Pancreatitis patients can control their symptoms by adjusting their lifestyle to a healthy lifestyle. and receive treatment from a doctor when necessary If abnormal symptoms are found that recur You should immediately consult a doctor.