What is inflammation of the pancreas?
Pancreatitis is a medical condition in which the pancreas, an organ located in the abdomen, becomes inflamed. There are two main types of pancreatitis and both types of pancreatitis can cause significant discomfort and can lead to serious complications if not properly treated. The types of 2 pancreatitis are:
Types of pancreatitis
Dr. Debasis Dutta, director, of Gastroenterology/Hepatology Science, Fortis Hospital Anandapur, Kolkata lists 2 types of Pancreatitis:
Acute Pancreatitis: This is a sudden onset of pancreatic inflammation that usually resolves within a few days to a week with proper treatment.
Chronic Pancreatitis: This is a long-standing inflammation of the pancreas that results in permanent damage to the organ over time. Chronic pancreatitis can develop from repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis, or from other underlying conditions such as cystic fibrosis or hereditary pancreatitis.
Signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis:
• Abdominal pain radiating to the back
• Feel tender by touching the abdomen
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Nausea
• Fast heart rate
Signs and symptoms of chronic pancreatitis:
• Indigestion and pain after eating
• Weight loss
• Oily and smelly stools (steatorrhea)
• Features of malabsorption
• Diabetes
What is the process of treatment?
According to Dr. Dutta, the treatment for an inflamed pancreas depends on the severity of the condition and the underlying cause. However, some common treatment options and procedures include:
Blood tests to check white blood cells, kidney function, liver enzymes, and elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes and CRP
A computed tomography (CT) scan to assess the extent of pancreatitis
Endoscopic ultrasonography to assess the extent of pancreatitis and if drainage necessary
A stool test to diagnose chronic pancreatitis.
What are the precautionary measures to take?
There are ways to protect your pancreas and reduce your risk of serious health problems such as pancreatitis and other EPIs. Some of the measures include:
Patients with an HIO pancreas should strictly avoid alcohol
Eating a healthy and proper diet: a diet that is low in fat and high in fibre can help reduce stress on the pancreas and reduce the risk of developing pancreatitis.
Strictly avoiding smoking can help reduce your risk
People with fatty liver and fasting lipid levels should be very conscious of their lifestyle
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