Acute pancreatitis is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can cause severe abdominal pain. Common causes of acute pancreatitis include gallstones, alcohol use, some medications, and certain genetic conditions. To help reduce the risk of developing acute pancreatitis or its complications, it’s important to be aware of the signs and common causes.
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What is Acute Pancreatitis?
Acute pancreatitis is an unexpected inflammation of the pancreas, a large gland below the stomach. The pancreas generates digestive enzymes as well as hormones that regulate blood sugar levels.
These enzymes begin to assault the pancreas itself in acute pancreatitis, causing inflammation and damage to the gland. Severe stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and fever are all symptoms.
Acute pancreatitis can range from a minor, self-limiting ailment to a serious, life-threatening condition. Hospitalization, supportive care, and treating underlying problems are common treatments.
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Alcohol Abuse
One of the most prevalent causes of acute pancreatitis is alcohol addiction, which accounts for up to 70% of cases in the United States.
This is because alcohol degrades into toxins that can harm the pancreas, causing inflammation and tissue death in rare circumstances.
To lower your chances of getting this illness, restrict or avoid consuming any sort of alcohol whenever feasible.
Gallstones or Blockage of the Pancreatic Duct
Gallstones or a blockage in the pancreatic duct, which links the pancreas to the small intestine, are another major cause of acute pancreatitis.
This can be due to elevated calcium levels in the blood, a familial history of gallstones, or a narrowing of the orifice between the two organs.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a method used to remove the obstruction in this situation (ERCP).
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Viral or Bacterial Infections
Viral and bacterial infections are another common cause of pancreatitis. Bacterial infections can be both intra-abdominal and systemic, while viral infections may come from the coxsackievirus, mumps or cytomegalovirus.
Treatment generally involves antibiotics to fight off the infection as well as other medications to reduce complications from the inflammation of the pancreas.
Medication Side-effects
Acute pancreatitis can also be caused by side-effects of certain medications, such as steroids and diuretics.
Other prescribed medications including some immunosuppressant drugs, chemotherapy agents and hormonal treatments can also cause damage to the pancreas and induce this condition.
If you are taking any of these types of medications, be sure to inform your doctor about any changes in your health or unexpected pain in the abdomen area.
They’ll be able to assess whether or not the medication could be playing a role in pancreatitis.
High Triglycerides in the Blood
Another prevalent cause of acute pancreatitis is high triglyceride levels in the blood.
When triglyceride levels exceed 1000 milligrammes per deciliter (mg/dl), the pancreas can become inflamed, potentially leading to a severe bout of pancreatitis.
Triglycerides rise as a result of a poor diet, metabolic syndrome, or diabetes. To lessen your risk, aim on eating nutritious low-fat meals and exercising frequently to naturally lower your triglyceride count.
is Acute Pancreatitis danger?
Acute pancreatitis can range from a minor, self-limiting ailment to a serious, life-threatening condition. It can cause major problems such as infection, haemorrhage, and organ failure in extreme situations. Acute pancreatitis has a mortality rate ranging from 1-5% in mild cases to 20-30% in severe cases.
Older age, underlying medical disorders, high triglyceride levels, and the presence of gallstones are all risk factors for severe acute pancreatitis.
If you suspect you may have acute pancreatitis, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications and improve outcomes.
It is also important to address any underlying causes of acute pancreatitis, such as excessive alcohol consumption or gallstones, in order to prevent future episodes and improve overall health.
Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is normally treated with hospitalization, supportive care, and treating any underlying causes.
Supportive therapy comprises symptom management, such as pain and nausea, and may include the administration of pain medicine, anti-inflammatory medications, and/or steroids.
To avoid dehydration, intravenous (IV) fluids may be administered, and a nasogastric tube may be placed to evacuate stomach contents and minimize the pancreas’ burden.
If an underlying reason, such as gallstones or alcohol usage, is discovered, therapy will be aimed toward resolving that cause.
If gallstones are discovered to be the reason, surgery to remove the gallbladder may be advised. Abstinence from alcohol is vital for healing and preventing future episodes if alcohol use is confirmed to be the cause.
In severe cases of acute pancreatitis, the patient may require intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and may require specialized treatment such as endoscopic or surgical intervention.
It is important to note that treatment of acute pancreatitis may vary depending on the underlying cause and severity of the condition, and should be determined by a healthcare professional.