{"id":1581,"date":"2020-06-03T11:30:22","date_gmt":"2020-06-03T11:30:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.blog.kayawell.com\/?p=1581"},"modified":"2020-06-05T12:25:51","modified_gmt":"2020-06-05T12:25:51","slug":"pancreatitis-overview-symptoms-causes-and-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/pancreatitis-overview-symptoms-causes-and-prevention","title":{"rendered":"Pancreatitis- Overview, Symptoms, Causes and Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pancreatitis\nis inflammation in the pancreas. The pancreas is a long, flat gland that sits\ntucked in the upper abdomen behind the stomach. The pancreas contains enzymes\nthat aid digestion and hormones that help regulate how the body processes sugar\n(glucose).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pancreatitis\ncan occur as acute pancreatitis, which means it happens abruptly and lasts for\ndays. Or pancreatitis can occur as chronic pancreatitis that persists over\nseveral years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Minor cases\nof pancreatitis can go away without treatment but serious cases may cause\nlife-threatening complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\r\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\r\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\r\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/pancreatitis-overview-symptoms-causes-and-prevention\/#Symptoms_of_Pancreatitis\" title=\"Symptoms of Pancreatitis\">Symptoms of Pancreatitis<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/pancreatitis-overview-symptoms-causes-and-prevention\/#When_to_your_doctor\" title=\"When to your doctor\">When to your doctor<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/pancreatitis-overview-symptoms-causes-and-prevention\/#Causes\" title=\"Causes\">Causes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/pancreatitis-overview-symptoms-causes-and-prevention\/#Risk_factors\" title=\"Risk factors\">Risk factors<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/pancreatitis-overview-symptoms-causes-and-prevention\/#Complications\" title=\"Complications\">Complications<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Symptoms_of_Pancreatitis\"><\/span>Symptoms of Pancreatitis<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The patient\nmay usually feel a sudden onset of pain in the middle of the upper abdomen,\nbelow the breastbone (sternum). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The\ndiscomfort is rarely first felt in the lower abdomen. It will gradually become\nmore intense until it is a constant ache.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ache may\nintensify further and become severe. It also spreads into the back in around\nhalf of the cases. Eating may exacerbate the pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gallstones\nresult to occur pancreatitis can form very quickly. The signs grow more\ngradually, over a period of days, when triggered by alcohol. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leaning forward\nor taking a fetal position (curling up) will help to somewhat relieve the\ndiscomfort. Anyone suffering from persistent pain should seek medical\nattention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The\nfollowing symptoms may also be present:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Vomiting<\/li><li>Nausea<\/li><li>Diarrhea<\/li><li>Loss of appetite<\/li><li>Rapid pulse<\/li><li>Pain with coughing, vigorous movements, and deep breathing<\/li><li>Tenderness when the abdomen is touched<\/li><li>Fever and a temperature of at least 100.4 \u00c2\u00b0f (38 \u00c2\u00b0c)<\/li><li>Jaundice, when the skin and whites of the eyes take on a yellowish\ntinge<\/li><li>Does not relieve pain even with strong pain relievers<\/li><li>Blood pressure can drop or increase, but when the patient is\nstanding it can fall, often causing faintness<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_to_your_doctor\"><\/span>When to your doctor<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You call\nyour doctor about pancreatitis when:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>You think you may have pancreatitis. People with acute\npancreatitis need to get immediate attention to prevent complications that are\nserious, potentially life-threatening. <\/li><li>Weight loss continues after pancreatitis diagnosis. You can have a\ncomplication which prevents the body from digesting food properly,<\/li><li>You are pale, cold, have a rapid heartbeat, or are breathing\nrapidly. You may be in shock and require emergency medical treatment. <\/li><li>After diagnosis you have chronic pain or diarrhea. You may have\nchronic pancreatitis or a complication of acute pancreatitis such as a\npseudocyst.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Causes\"><\/span>Causes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Acute and\nchronic pancreatitis shares many of the same causes. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Gallstones<\/li><li>Drinking a lot of alcohol<\/li><li>Some medications<\/li><li>Pancreatic cancer<\/li><li>Abdominal surgery<\/li><li>Infections<\/li><li>Cystic fibrosis<\/li><li>Injury to your belly<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>High calcium\nlevels or high triglycerides levels (a form of fat) in the blood may also cause\nchronic pancreatitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gallstones\nare the predominant cause of acute pancreatitis. Gallstones are tiny, solid\nmasses which form from bile, a fluid that helps with digestion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A\nsufficiently large gallstone can get stuck at the junction where the main\npancreatic duct and the common bile duct meet. These ducts drain into the\nduodenum, the small intestine&#8217;s first section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The pancreas\nduct carries pancreatic digestive enzymes. The normal bile duct carries bile\nfrom the liver and gallbladder or other substances. A stuck gallstone can cause\nthese substances to be backed up, which can lead to inflammation in both the\ncommon bile duct and the pancreas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Risk_factors\"><\/span>Risk factors<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Factors that\nincrease your risk of pancreatitis include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Excessive Alcohol Consumption:<\/strong> Research shows heavy consumers\nof alcohol (people who intake four to five drinks a day) are at increased risk\nof pancreatitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cigarette Smoking:<\/strong> Smokers are three times more likely to\ndevelop chronic pancreatitis than non-smokers, on average. The good news is that\nquitting smoking reduces the risk by about half<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Obesity<\/strong>: If you are obese you are more likely to develop pancreatitis<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Family History of Pancreatitis:<\/strong> In chronic pancreatitis, the\nrole of genetics is increasingly recognized. If you have family members with\nthe disorder, your risks increase \u00e2\u20ac\u201d especially when combined with other risk\nfactors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Complications\"><\/span>Complications<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Pancreatitis\ncan have severe complications, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Diabetes if damages insulin-producing cells<\/li><li>Infection of your pancreas<\/li><li>Kidney failure<\/li><li>Malnutrition if your body can not get adequate nutrients from the\nfood you eat due to a lack of digestive enzymes<\/li><li>Pancreatic cancer<\/li><li>Pancreatic necrosis when tissues die because there is not enough\nblood in your pancreas <\/li><li>Breathing problems when chemical changes in your body are\naffecting your lungs<\/li><li>Pseudocysts, when fluid collects in pockets on your pancreas. They\ncan burst and become infected.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Prevention<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pancreatitis\nmay not be preventable, depending on the cause. Still, there are many things\nyou can do to lower the risk:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Limit your alcoholic drinks.<\/li><li>Stop smoking.<\/li><li>Maintain a healthy weight.<\/li><li>Eat a balanced diet.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Eating\nhigh-fibre foods and avoiding sugar can help you prevent gallstones, which are\nthe leading cause of acute pancreatitis.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Overview Pancreatitis is inflammation in the pancreas. The pancreas is a long, flat gland that sits tucked in the upper abdomen behind the stomach. The pancreas contains enzymes that aid digestion and hormones that help regulate how the body processes sugar (glucose). Pancreatitis can occur as acute pancreatitis, which means it happens abruptly and lasts [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1587,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1581","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-healthcare"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1581","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1581"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1581\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1587"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1581"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1581"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1581"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}