Acute pancreatitis, a sudden inflammation of the pancreas that can present with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and severe bleeding, can be life-threatening. Alcohol use and biliary tract stones are among the most important causes of this ailment.
The pancreas secretes hormones, especially blood sugar regulation, and enzymes necessary for digestion. Alcohol use and biliary tract stones are among the most important causes of acute pancreatitis. While alcohol consumption is the primary cause of acute pancreatitis in foreign countries, pancreatitis due to gallstones is more common in our country. Excessive consumption of alcohol can cause edema in the pancreatic tissue and cause disease by inhibiting its flow. Gallstones are; It may cause permanent or temporary obstruction by passing into the duct connecting the gallbladder to the intestine. Obstruction, edema, and then pancreatitis may occur in the pancreatic duct.
Drug use can trigger
Drugs used by the person, especially some blood pressure drugs, increased triglyceride in the blood, diseases that cause high calcium can also cause acute pancreatitis. People who have had acute pancreatitis before are also in the risk group for relapses.
Abdominal and back pain may occur
The first and most important symptom of acute pancreatitis is abdominal pain. It is a severe pain that starts in the upper part of the abdomen and spreads to the back, often in the form of a belt, surrounding the abdomen. The pain is usually acute and of sudden onset, intensifying gradually. The pain is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Gallstones may cause obstruction in the duct
In some patients, findings such as darkening of the urine color and yellowing of the eyes may occur. When these findings occur in people at risk for the formation of acute pancreatitis, the nearest hospital should be consulted. Acute pancreatitis can be diagnosed with blood tests and ultrasonographic examination. The elevation of pancreatic enzymes (amylase and lipase) in the blood allows the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in people with typical abdominal pain, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. After the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is made in people with typical pain and high levels of amylase and lipase, “abdominal ultrasonographic examination” should be performed for the cause. This provides information on both the cause and severity of the disease. In this way, information is obtained about whether there is a gallstone and if there is, whether the obstruction in the duct continues.
First of all, drug treatment is sought
In acute pancreatitis, drug treatment is applied first. Depending on the underlying cause, endoscopic interventions may also be required. First of all, the patient is taken to rest with serum therapy and some drugs to stop oral feeding and restore the deteriorated fluid balance. If the underlying cause is gallstones and the biliary tract obstruction still persists, endoscopic intervention (ERCP) enlarges the mouth of the bile ducts, removing the existing stone, and re-establishing the flow, thereby reducing the pressure in both the bile duct and the pancreatic duct.
The duration of treatment varies according to the stage of the disease
The duration of treatment in acute pancreatitis varies according to the severity of the disease. While mild and moderate pancreatitis heals within a few days, the treatment of severe pancreatitis with tissue loss in the pancreatic organ is both more difficult and takes longer. In such cases, endoscopic and/or surgical intervention may be required to clean up the dead tissue.
It can be brought under control with early diagnosis
Acute pancreatitis can be brought under control with appropriate treatment if diagnosed early and correctly. However, it is not always possible to predict exactly how the disease will progress. For this reason, the treatment is reshaped by having an idea about the course of the disease, thanks to the examinations to be repeated at regular intervals in the person who is hospitalized and treated. Mild or moderate pancreatitis often heals completely. Severe pancreatitis is a serious life-threatening disease. Especially people who use alcohol, have been diagnosed with gallstones, have high triglyceride levels and use certain blood pressure medications are at risk, so they should be evaluated for acute pancreatitis when abdominal pain occurs.
To prevent pancreatic disease
Alcohol and smoking should be limited
Excessive fatty and heavy foods should be avoided
Those with diabetes mellitus should have regular check-ups
Those with high blood lipids (triglyceride) should take necessary precautions for treatment.
