Chronic Conditions 3 MIN READ 504 VIEWS October 29, 2023

Pancreatitis: Why Does It Happen and What Are Its Symptoms

Pancreatitis is known as the condition when the pancreas gets inflamed and the patient experiences back and abdominal pain that originates in the stomach. The pancreas is an organ which is positioned between your spine and your gut. The pancreas is roughly the same size and shape as your right hand, which you can visualise by laying it across your stomach. 

Your pancreas controls your blood sugar level, is involved in digestion and creates hormones. The pancreatic duct is used to deliver digestive enzymes to your small intestine. Your immune system’s response to any injury to the organ may lead to inflammation in the pancreas leading to pancreatitis. 

Pancreatitis – Signs and Symptoms

The primary symptom of pancreatitis is abdominal pain. Additional pancreatitis symptoms may include:

  • Nausea 
  • Vomiting.
  • Fast heart rate.
  • Fast, shallow breathing.
  • Fever
  • Bloating and discomfort after eating.
  • Unintentional weight loss and loss of appetite.
  • Fatty faeces that leave a film of oil in the toilet.
  • Dizziness due to low blood pressure.
Expert TipOne of the principal acute pancreatitis symptoms noticed among most patients is persistent dull upper abdominal pain, usually with vomiting and nausea.

Causes of Pancreatitis

The pancreas play a crucial role in digestion and blood sugar regulation, making its health vital for overall well-being. Understanding the common acute and chronic pancreatitis causes is essential for not only its prevention but also effective management.

The primary pancreatitis causes are:

  • Gallstones- The common bile duct shares the same opening with the pancreatic duct to discharge bile from the gallbladder into the intestine. Gallstones can momentarily obstruct the pancreatic duct’s ability to drain pancreatic juice if they enter the common bile duct and become lodged there. These prevent the enzymes from leaving your pancreas. Your pancreas’s internal enzymes are triggered as pressure builds behind the obstruction, and they start to cause injury to the pancreas itself. As a result, gallstone pancreatitis manifests as an inflammatory reaction.
  • Excessive alcohol consumption-Another apparent pancreatitis reason is heavy alcohol consumption. It’s possible that the harmful alcohol by products in your blood cause your pancreas to become inflamed or that they chemically activate the digestive enzymes there. Most cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis, according to scientists, are thought to be caused by heavy alcohol consumption.

Other Factors Leading to Pancreatitis

The less frequent acute pancreatitis causes include-

  • Virus infections
  • Autoimmune disorder.
  • Inherited gene mutations.
  • Cystic fibrosis complications.
  • High blood triglycerides.
  • High blood calcium levels.
  • Ischemia 
  • Cancer.
  • A pancreas injury caused by trauma.
  • Some drugs that irritate the pancreas.

What Are the Possible Complications Of Pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis can lead to various mild to severe complications depending on the underlying cause, the severity of inflammation, and how well the condition is managed. Some of the possible complications of pancreatitis include:

  • Diabetes 
  • Gastrointestinal Blockages
  • Haemorrhage 
  • Infection 
  • Kidney Failure 
  • Malnutrition
  • Multiple Organ Failure
  • Necrotizing Pancreatitis 
  • Pancreatic Cancer
  • Pseudocysts 
  • Respiratory Complications 
  • Sepsis

What Signs or Symptoms Point To A Malfunctioning Pancreas?

You’ll first notice long-term, chronic pancreatitis effects on your digestive system before they affect pancreatic function. Your body won’t be able to digest and absorb all the nutrients from your food if your pancreas is unable to produce and deliver its digestive enzymes. After eating, you might experience discomfort and pass undigested fats in your faces. Additionally, you might experience weight loss over time.

Did You Know?Very severe acute pancreatitis can lead to death. Rarely severe acute pancreatitis results in a systemic reaction that affects the entire body. If not treated right away, this can result in shock and multiple organ failure, both of which can be fatal. 

Conclusion

You may not think much about your pancreas until one day it starts hurting. When you experience symptoms related to pancreatitis, it is advisable to head to the hospital. Most cases of acute pancreatitis are over in days. Chronic pancreatitis may occur more gradually and take longer to be noticed. While some causative factors, such as alcohol use, are predictable, others are unusual and unexpected. 

You may have never imagined you were at risk of developing a chronic disease until diagnosed. Additionally, you may find life with pancreatitis challenging to manage. So, to cope with the condition, you’ll need a healthcare provider you can trust to help you manage it with a proper pancreatitis diet and medications. 

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