General Information About Acute Pancreatitis
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the condition where powerful digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas become active within the pancreas itself before reaching the intestine, irritating and inflaming the tissue.
The vast majority of cases are caused by 'Gallstones' that drop from the gallbladder and block the pancreatic duct, and long-term excessive alcohol consumption. High triglyceride levels can also be a trigger.
Sudden onset of extremely severe abdominal pain in the upper part of the stomach (above the belly button) that radiates to the back like a band, accompanied by nausea and vomiting, are the most typical findings.
While mild forms heal in a few days, severe pancreatitis scenarios are life-threatening emergencies that can lead to tissue death (necrosis) in the organ, cyst formation, and multi-organ failure along with infection.
In a patient presenting with abdominal pain, blood levels of Lipase and Amylase enzymes rising to 3 times the normal level are diagnostic. The extent of the damage is examined using Ultrasound and Computed Tomography (CT).
Oral food intake is temporarily stopped to rest the pancreas. Intensive intravenous fluid supplementation and strong painkillers are administered. If there are gallstones, the duct is cleared using the ERCP method.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
