Causes of Pancreatitis
Causes of Pancreatitis
Alcohol abuse is the leading cause of both acute and chronic pancreatitis. Alcohol causes digestive enzymes to be released sooner than normal and also increases the permeability of the small ducts that convey enzymes within the pancreas, which causes digestive juices to leak and damage the pancreatic tissue.
Gallstones block the pancreatic duct and are another leading cause of pancreatitis. Gallstones sometimes migrate from the gall bladder to the common bile duct, which merges with the pancreatic duct near the entrance to the small intestine. There the stones can block the flow of pancreatic juices into the duodenum. As a result, the pancreatic enzymes become active and leak into the pancreas causing acute pancreatitis.
Increased blood levels of fats called triglycerides ( hyperlipidemia) and increased blood levels of calcium ( hypercalcemia), certain medications, including corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, blood pressure lowering drugs ( thiazides), and antibiotics such as tetracyclines and sulfonamides can cause pancreatitis. Other causes include surgery, usually of the abdomen; structural abnormalities of the pancreas or the common bile duct; abdominal trauma, which can compress the pancreas against the spine; viral infections, including mumps, Hepatitis and Epstein - Barr virus; pancreatic cancer, which can obstruct the flow of pancreatic enzymes; inherited diseases, especially cystic fibrosis; and gene abnormalities, leading to a hereditary form of the disease.
Symptoms of Pancreatitis
Acute Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis usually begins with pain in the upper abdomen. The pain may be severe and may become constant - just in the abdomen - or it may reach to the back and other areas. It may be sudden and intense or begin as a mild pain. The pain may remain constant or become worse after drinking alcohol or eating food. Bending forward may provide temporary relief.
A patient with acute pancreatitis often looks and feels sick. Other symptoms of acute pancreatitis include :
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Swollen and tender abdomen
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Nausea and vomiting
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High fever
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Rapid pulse
Severe cases may develop dehydration and low blood pressure. The heart, lung or kidney function can get affected and if bleeding occurs in the pancreas, shock and sometimes even death may occur.
There can be repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis and the patient can recover fully from each one.
Pancreatitis
Causes of Pancreatitis
Chronic Pancreatitis
Diagnosis for Pancreatitis
Complications due to Acute Pancreataitis
Chronic Pancreatitis and Prevention
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