Guide To The Causes Of Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is an illness where severe inflammation develops in the pancreas. The pancreas is a large gland located behind the stomach that produces hormones responsible for regulating how the body metabolizes glucose and enzymes that assist with digestion. Acute pancreatitis is a sudden and severe inflammation of the pancreas that lingers for days, and chronic pancreatitis lasts for years. Symptoms of acute pancreatitis include upper abdominal pain, abdominal pain that worsens after eating, rapid pulse, vomiting, back pain, fever, nausea, and tenderness when the abdomen is touched. Symptoms indicative of chronic pancreatitis include upper abdominal pain, unintentional weight loss, and steatorrhea. Pancreatitis diagnosis is made with the use of blood tests, stool tests, CT scans, abdominal ultrasound, endoscopic ultrasound, and MRIs. Treatment of pancreatitis may consist of fasting, pain medication, intravenous fluids, bile duct surgery, gallbladder surgery, pancreas surgery, diet changes, enzyme supplements, and alcohol dependence treatment.