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The secret story of the pancreas: Why does it get inflamed? Do you know what causes pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis is a health condition characterized by inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas, a large organ located behind the stomach, is primarily responsible for producing digestive enzymes and various hormones. Pancreatitis can be divided into two main types: acute and chronic. Symptoms typically include severe pain in the upper abdomen, nausea and vomiting, which may extend to the back and are usually very painful. In acute pancreatitis, fever may also occur, and symptoms usually resolve within a few days. Chronic pancreatitis may lead to weight loss, fatty stools, and diarrhea. Over time, both types of pancreatitis can lead to various complications.
"The two most common causes of acute pancreatitis are gallstones blocking the bile duct and excessive drinking."
Complications of acute pancreatitis may include infection, bleeding, diabetes, and problems with other organs. Chronic pancreatitis is usually caused by long-term alcohol abuse, but other factors such as hyperlipidemia, hypercalcemia, certain drugs and genetic diseases (such as cystic fibrosis) are also causes.
Causes of Pancreatitis
According to reports, approximately 80% of pancreatitis cases are caused by gallstones or alcohol. Biliary stones are the most common cause of acute pancreatitis, while alcohol abuse is the leading cause of chronic pancreatitis.
"In acute pancreatitis, the diagnosis relies on a threefold increase in the level of amylase or lipase in the blood."
In addition, serum triglyceride levels above 1000 mg/dL are also an important contributing factor. The mnemonic "GET SMASHED" is commonly used in the medical community to help students and doctors remember the main causes of pancreatitis. The mnemonic covers Gallstones, Ethanol, Trauma, Steroids, Mumps, Autoimmune, Scorpion sting, Hyperlipidemia Possible causes include hyperlipidemia, hypothermia or hyperparathyroidism, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and drugs.
Diagnosis and treatment
The diagnosis of pancreatitis requires at least two of the following three criteria: typical acute upper abdominal pain, elevated serum amylase or lipase levels, and characteristic changes on imaging studies. Common imaging tests include CT scans and ultrasound, which can effectively help assess the health of the pancreas.
“Treatment of acute pancreatitis usually requires intravenous fluids, pain medications, and sometimes antibiotics.”
Acute pancreatitis is usually treated with intravenous fluids to maintain hydration and electrolyte balance and, if necessary, pain medication. In most cases, patients will be prohibited from eating in the early stages of discomfort and may even need a nasogastric tube inserted. For chronic pancreatitis, in addition to supportive treatment, nutritional support and pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy may be needed to ensure adequate nutritional intake.
Challenges and prognosis of chronic pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis is often associated with years of alcohol abuse, and symptoms may persist for years. In severe cases, it can lead to consequences such as diabetes or pancreatic cancer. Treatment for this type of pancreatitis requires long-term dietary changes, medications, and sometimes surgery to remove part of the pancreas.
"Early intervention can improve quality of life and prognosis in patients with chronic pancreatitis."
Conclusion
There are approximately 8.9 million pancreatitis patients worldwide each year, and the mortality rate is rising year by year. In fact, the course of chronic pancreatitis usually begins between the ages of 30 and 40 in younger patients and is extremely rare in children. Faced with such a potentially dangerous disease, are we really concerned enough about our diet and lifestyle habits to prevent the occurrence of pancreatitis?
