Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, which can either be acute (sudden and severe) or chronic (ongoing). The pancreas is a gland that secretes both digestive enzymes and important hormones.
What is pancreatitis? Pancreatitis is the redness and swelling (inflammation) of the pancreas. This happens when digestive juices or enzymes attack the pancreas. The pancreas lies behind your stomach on the left side of your belly.
Damage to insulin-producing cells in your pancreas from chronic pancreatitis can lead to diabetes, a disease that affects the way your body uses blood sugar. Pancreatic cancer. Long-standing inflammation in your pancreas caused by chronic pancreatitis is a risk factor for developing pancreatic cancer.
What is pancreatitis? Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach, close to the first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum. The pancreas has two main functions—to make insulin and to make digestive juices, or enzymes, to help you digest food.
In 80% of people with acute pancreatitis, the inflammation either clears up completely or improves a lot within one to two weeks. But it sometimes leads to serious complications, so it's usually treated in a hospital.
Steroid medicine. Steroid medicine is recommended for people with chronic pancreatitis caused by problems with the immune system because it helps to relieve the inflammation of the pancreas.
Most people with acute pancreatitis get better within a week and are well enough to leave hospital after a few days. Recovery can take longer in severe cases, as some people can develop complications. Read more about treating acute pancreatitis and the possible complications of acute pancreatitis.
Prognosis in chronic pancreatitis
The overall 10-year and 20-year survival rates are estimated to be about 70% and 45%, respectively. For some people, a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis can mean a lifetime of pain and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Various infectious microorganisms may cause infectious pancreatitis, and these include viruses (hepatotropic virus, Coxsackie virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), mumps, varicella-zoster virus, and other viruses); bacteria (mycoplasma, legionella, salmonella, and ...
About 90%-95% of patients treated for acute pancreatitis may completely recover if the underlying cause such as alcohol or infection is appropriately treated. Some people may develop chronic pancreatitis or die from complications such as kidney failure, diabetes, breathing problems and/or brain damage.
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.
People with acute pancreatitis often look ill and have a fever, nausea, vomiting, and sweating. Other symptoms that may occur with this disease include: Clay-colored stools. Bloating and fullness.
Rest and recovery, and fasting gives time to your pancreas to recover and work again for producing insulin and enzymes. Sleeping or fasting enables pancreas to regenerate enzymes.
pain or tenderness in the abdomen that is severe or becomes worse. nausea and vomiting. fever or chills. fast heartbeat.
A pancreas blood test is a blood test to check pancreas function. Pancreas blood tests measure the levels of certain digestive enzymes your pancreas produces. These tests can check for how much of these enzymes are in your bloodstream.
Fried foods and high-fat foods
The pancreas helps with fat digestion, so foods with more fat make the pancreas work harder. Other examples of high-fat foods to avoid include: high-fat dairy products, such as cream, whole milk, and full fat cheeses. processed meats, such as hot dogs and sausage.
As the inflammation in your pancreas improves and pain symptoms improve, you should begin drinking clear liquids and eating bland foods.
Common foods that irritate the pancreas include liver, red meat, hamburgers, French fries, and potato chips. Full-fat milk or cheese, margarine, and butter, along with pastries and mayonnaise are other foods to avoid.
Drink or eat nonfat or low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese, or other milk products each day. Read the labels on cheeses, and choose those with less than 5 grams of fat an ounce. Try fat-free sour cream, cream cheese, or yogurt. Avoid cream soups and cream sauces on pasta.
Emotional stress can excite the vagus nerve (connects the brain with the stomach) and causes the stomach to be stimulated to produce excessive amounts of acid. As noted, this increase in acid stimulates an increase in pancreatic secretion production. This can exacerbate pancreatitis once it has been established.
Nausea and vomiting. Weakness or extreme tiredness. Loss of appetite or feelings of fullness.
Eventually, the pancreas may not be able to produce insulin at all, leading to type 1 diabetes, which can produce the following symptoms: thirst. frequent urination. intense hunger.