In endemic areas, all patients with acute pancreatitis should be screened for parasites. Antibiotics and/or antihelminthics should be given if they are found. Surgery is necessary for those with worms causing biliary or pancreatic obstruction who do not respond.
persistent upper abdominal pain, usually with nausea and vomiting. The usual locations of the pain are the epigastric and periumbilical regions. The pain may radiate to the back, chest, flanks, and lower abdomen.
Hepatobiliary and pancreatic ascariasis (HPA) is caused by entry of the nematode, Ascaris lumbricoides (A. lumbricoides), from the duodenum in to the biliary and pancreatic ductal lumen[1].
Parasitic Pancreatitis
A more common problem in developing countries than in the U.S., intestinal parasites can lead to acute pancreatitis and other pancreatic diseases.
Infection. Acute pancreatitis can make your pancreas vulnerable to bacteria and infection. Pancreatic infections are serious and require intensive treatment, such as surgery to remove the infected tissue.
Hydatid disease is a parasitic infestation caused by the cystic stage of Echinococcus granulosus. Hydatid cysts are commonly located in the liver and lung. Pancreatic affection by hydatid cysts is very rare even in endemic areas.
Individuals with known or suspected parasitic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including amebiasis, giardiasis, hookworm, strongyloidiasis, trichuriasis, pinworm, tapeworm, trichinosis, clonorchis, opisthorchis, coccidiosis, paragonimiasis, and echinococcus may be eligible for this study.
Typical symptoms include indigestion, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation. In severe cases, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea can occur.
Diabetes. Diabetes occurs when sugars build up in the blood due to the pancreas not producing enough insulin (or not using it correctly) resulting in low energy levels.
Viral hepatitis accounts for most of the cases of virus-induced AP. Other viruses that have been previously shown to cause AP include cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster virus, coxsackie virus, echoviruses, measles, mumps, HIV infection, HSV, EBV, adenovirus, influenza, and H1N1 [3].
CDC recommends that three or more stool samples, collected on separate days, be examined. This test looks for ova (eggs) or the parasite. Your health care provider may instruct you to put your stool specimens into special containers with preservative fluid.
The best food choices for those suffering from chronic pancreatitis are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nonfat/low fat dairy, and lean cuts of meat. Healthy fats such as avocado, olive oil, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds, may be consumed with careful portion control.
Self-care. After an episode of pain from pancreatitis, you should start off with drinking only clear liquids, such as soup broth or gelatin. You will need to follow this diet until your symptoms get better. Slowly add other foods back to your diet when you are better.
Symptoms of pancreatic cysts
Although most cysts don't cause symptoms, there are some signs to watch for. These include nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating and pain in the abdomen. “If you experience any of these symptoms without relief for more than two weeks, you should talk to your doctor,” Kim says.
The cause of most pancreatic cysts is unknown. Some cysts are associated with rare illnesses, including polycystic kidney disease or von Hippel-Lindau disease, a genetic disorder that can affect the pancreas and other organs.
Pancreatic cysts are usually harmless, but they may cause symptoms like abdominal pain in some patients. Very rarely, pancreatic cysts can become cancerous over time. Most people, however, feel fine and do not even know they have them.
The main symptom of acute pancreatitis is a severe, dull pain around the top of your stomach that develops suddenly. This aching pain often gets steadily worse and can travel along your back or below your left shoulder blade. Eating or drinking may also make you feel worse very quickly, especially fatty foods.