Acute pancreatitis is sudden swelling and inflammation of the pancreas.
Gallstone pancreatitis; Pancreas - inflammation
The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach. It produces the hormones insulin and glucagon. It also produces chemicals called enzymes needed to digest food.
Most of the time, the enzymes are active only after they reach the small intestine.
Acute pancreatitis affects men more often than women. Certain diseases, surgeries, and habits make you more likely to develop this condition.
Other conditions that have been linked to pancreatitis are:
Other causes include:
The main symptom of pancreatitis is pain felt in the upper left side or middle of the abdomen. The pain:
People with acute pancreatitis often look ill and have a fever, nausea, vomiting, and sweating.
Other symptoms that may occur with this disease include:
Treatment often requires a stay in the hospital. It may involve:
A tube may be inserted through the nose or mouth to remove the contents of the stomach. This may be done if vomiting and severe pain do not improve. The tube will stay in for 1 to 2 days to 1 to 2 weeks.
Treating the condition that caused the problem can prevent repeated attacks.
In some cases, therapy is needed to:
In the most severe cases, surgery is needed to remove damaged, dead or infected pancreatic tissue.
Avoid smoking, alcoholic drinks, and fatty foods after the attack has improved.
Gregory Cote is a Gastroenterologist in Charleston, South Carolina. Cote has been practicing medicine for over 22 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Acute Pancreatitis. He is also highly rated in 27 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Hereditary Pancreatitis, Acute Pancreatitis, Chronic Pancreatitis, Endoscopy, and Gallbladder Removal. Cote is currently accepting new patients.
Shyam Varadarajulu is a Gastroenterologist in Orlando, Florida. Varadarajulu has been practicing medicine for over 30 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Acute Pancreatitis. He is also highly rated in 28 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Hereditary Pancreatitis, Pancreatic Pseudocyst, Acute Pancreatitis, Endoscopy, and Stent Placement. Varadarajulu is currently accepting new patients.
Badih Elmunzer is a Gastroenterologist in Charleston, South Carolina. Elmunzer has been practicing medicine for over 21 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Acute Pancreatitis. He is also highly rated in 26 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Hereditary Pancreatitis, Acute Pancreatitis, Choledocholithiasis, Endoscopy, and Gallbladder Removal. Elmunzer is currently accepting new patients.
Most cases go away in a week or less. However, some cases develop into a life-threatening illness.
The death rate is high when:
Sometimes the swelling and infection do not fully heal. Repeat episodes of pancreatitis may also occur. Either of these can lead to long-term damage of the pancreas.
Pancreatitis can return. The chances of it returning depend on the cause, and how well it can be treated. Complications of acute pancreatitis may include:
Contact your provider if:
You may lower your risk of new or repeat episodes of pancreatitis by taking steps to prevent the medical conditions that can lead to the disease:
Summary: The goal of this observational study was to explore the complex relationship between changes in the intestinal microbiome and serum metabolites in patients with novel coronavirus infection and acute pancreatitis. The main questions it aims to answer are: Question 1: The changes of intestinal microbiota and serum metabolites in patients with novel coronavirus infection and acute pancreatitis. Quest...
Summary: Genetic lipodystrophy syndromes are extremely rare, orphan diseases with overall estimated prevalence of less than 2,000 in the United States. These rare disorders characterized by selective loss of adipose tissue and predisposition to insulin resistance and its metabolic complications diabetes, dyslipidemia and hepatic steatosis. Due to these metabolic problems, atherosclerotic vascular disease, ...
Published Date: October 26, 2021
Published By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Crockett SD, Wani S, Gardner TB, Falck-Ytter Y, Barkun AN. American Gastroenterological Association Institute Clinical Guidelines Committee. American Gastroenterological Association Institute Guideline on initial management of acute pancreatitis. Gastroenterology. 2018;154(4):1096-1101. PMID: 29409760 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29409760/.
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Paskar DD, Marshall JC. Acute pancreatitis. In: Parrillo JE, Dellinger RP, eds. Critical Care Medicine: Principles of Diagnosis and Management in the Adult. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 73.
Vege SS. Acute pancreatitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 58.