Pancreatitis

What is it

Unknown. Pancreatitis. Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8103-pancreatitis. Accessed 11 June 2024.

The inflammation of the pancreas, an organ that produces enzymes for chemical digestion that is located underneath the stomach. A healthy pancreas releases digestive enzymes along with insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. These hormones help the body control the amount of food that is used for energy. The pancreas has two main functions, exocrine and endocrine, responsible for stomach acids (HCL) and insulin along with hormones respectively, in which the performance can lower as a result of pancreatitis. 

Severity/complications

Short-term acute pancreatitis lasts from a few days to a few weeks. From mild discomfort to severe illness, pain levels can vary. Treatment typically aids in recovery, but severe cases can result in infection, bleeding, and cysts. In recent years, gastrointestinal hospitalizations in the United States have been increasing due to acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis can be broken down into three categories: mild, moderately severe, and severe. Organ failure that is more severe lasts for a set amount of time.

  Chronic pancreatitis lasts for a long time and can get worse over time. It frequently happens when the injury or harm to the pancreas doesn't stop. The pancreas' scarring caused by the constant inflammation makes it harder for it to produce hormones and enzymes. The exocrine and endocrine functions of the pancreas are permanently damaged by chronic pancreatitis. Latent or subclinical, inflammatory complications, severe complications, advanced, and secondary painless pancreatitis are the four stages. Some of the potential complications include calcification, chronic pain, diabetes, gallstones, kidney failure, pancreatic cancer, and acute flare-ups.

Symptoms:

• Nausea

• Pain in the abdomen

• Fast heartbeat

• Fat in stool

• Fever

• Bloating

• Vomiting

• Loss of appetite

• Unexpected weight loss

What causes it?

Blockage of the bile duct caused by gallstones, heavy alcohol use, specific medicines, unhealthy amounts of triglycerides and calcium levels in the blood, pancreas cancer, and/or injuries from trauma can lead to acute pancreatitis. However, along with these causes and repeated acute pancreatitis, genetics may play a role in chronic pancreatitis. Sometimes, pancreatitis itself can be an underlying symptom of other astrological diseases, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. 

It is important to note that sometimes there aren’t clear reasons for pancreatitis to be developed. This can make it harder to identify treatment plans for the patients and involves undergoing significant lifestyle changes. Studies show that the cause is unknown for 10-15% of acute pancreatitis and 20-30% of chronic pancreatitis. Currently, the most accurate way to show the cause of pancreatitis is through blood tests (showing clues about the immune system) and ultrasounds, which can show inflammation of the pancreas.

Treatment:

The initial step requires hospitalization, in which the underlying cause can be identified after stabilizing the patient. Some cases of acute pancreatitis may go away by itself, depending on the cause and severity. However, most patients are treated with pain relief to get through it. For chronic or more severe acute pancreatitis, emergency treatment or intensive care is needed for the complications. 

IV fluids, tube feeding, parenteral nutrition, and pain relief are provided with supportive care, often given when the cause has been identified and resolved. However, more serious treatments include gallstone removal, using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or gallbladder removal surgery. Antibiotics, daring/removing fluid and dead tissue, and further intensive care are given depending on the complications present

Patients experiencing chronic pancreatitis often undergo lifestyle changes to slow the progression of the disease. Some common supplements, such as multivitamins (contain antioxidant vitamins) and minerals are taken to get enough calories and micronutrients. However, an increase in glucose intolerance can result in being insulin-dependent. If inflammation is severe, part of the pancreas would have to be surgery removed.

Citations:

1. professional, Cleveland Clinic medical. “Pancreatitis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, 12 Jan. 2023, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8103-pancreatitis.

2. Gapp, Jonathan. “Acute Pancreatitis.” StatPearls [Internet]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 9 Feb. 2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482468/.

3. Unknown. “Pancreatitis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 23 Sept. 2023, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20360227.