Acute and chronic pancreatitis

Acute and chronic pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is caused by inflammation in the pancreas, a small organ in the abdomen. There are many causes to it, but it is most often linked to excessive alcohol consumption or gallstones or medications. Other factors causing pancreatitis can be viral infections, obesity, smoking and also aging. The most common symptom of acute pancreatitis will be a strong, debilitating pain in the upper or center of the abdomen, at the top of the gut. It may, however, be accompanied by fever, vomiting, and also a yellowing of the skin (jaundice). A gastroenterologist can perform a variety of tests to determine whether the symptoms you are feeling are due to pancreatitis. The tests may start with an examination of the abdomen by the doctor using their hands, accompanied by an Ultrasound, blood tests might be required as well as a CT scan. Once the cause is determined there are a few therapeutic options available for you. Painkillers as well as fluids can be useful in helping deal with the immediate and worse of the symptoms, however, it should be noted, most patients will recover within a few days.

At the clinic we would focus on the underlying causes that led to the acute pancreatitis. In the case of a gallstone a procedure called Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography, or simply ERCP for short, can be performed quickly to remove the stone using an endoscope, a small tube that is passed through the mouth into the gut. When the inflammation is due to excessive alcohol consumption, alcohol should be completely avoided after any recovery. Chronic Pancreatitis, in contrast to acute, is not short term, and most patients will have already had an episode of acute pancreatitis before. Chronic pancreatitis is caused by permanent damage to the pancreas due to long term exposure to inflammation. The symptoms will be similar to those of acute pancreatitis, except that there can be a constant dull pain in between episodes. Associated symptoms could be weight loss, loss of appetite and foods not being broken down well, leading to more smelly stool. To diagnose this condition, similar tests will also be required. In order to rule out the chance of pancreatic cancer more detailed imaging studies maybe needed or even a biopsy (tissue sample) may be required during an endoscopic examination if we have worrisome findings from the previous exams. Some degree of damage to the pancreas is permanent, however, certain lifestyle changes, such as dietary changes and stopping drinking and smoking, can help in the long term.