Acute pancreatitis (Acute pancreatitis)

Definition and causes

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatic) is a disease that can be acute, as here described, or evolve over time into a chronic pancreatitis. Occasionally, an acute inflammation, however, develop into a chronic.

Acute pancreatitis is a relatively rare condition. It is twice as common in men as in women. The disease can occur in two forms: an easy, mild and severe, severe type. Pancreas produces powerful enzymes to break down food in the gut, and inflammatory conditions, these enzymes are activated prematurely and leak out from time system of glands and break down parts of this, and the tissues around the glands.

Bysevere acute pancreatitisis this a significant extent, and there is (sometimes irreparable) damage to the glands and its surroundings. This provides a sharp activation of the body's immune system so that other bodies also affected by the disease. The officer in the worst case of life-threatening multi-organ failure.

Bymild acute pancreatitisMonday is not nearly as sick. There is no or hardly any, influence body, and the state heal quickly and without complications. The light cycle is much more common.

The most common cause of the disease is excessivealcohol intake, Often for several years (may be seen after just a few days Excessive alcohol). Most other cases of acute pancreatitis occur due to agallstones. Gallstones can block the gall bladder and pancreas common provenance time for the intestine, which can irritate glands and cause inflammation reaction.

In 15-20% of cases are not the cause. Other rare causes may include, be: Medicine ADR operations, increased fats (triglycerides) in blood, increased calcium content (calcium) in the blood, inherited conditions, certain infections (including HIV / AIDS).

Symptoms of acute pancreatitis

The symptoms can be dramatic and would often lead to hospitalization. Frequently seen:

Abdominal pain. Sudden onset, often very violent and fairly constant. Usually located opadtil in the abdomen or under the left rib edge, but can also spread to the entire abdomen. Often radiating to the back.
Nauseaandrecurrent vomiting.
Bloating.
Chills, feverandgeneral feeling sick.

Diagnosis and precautions

Sudden, violent and constant abdominal pain, possibly. followed by vomiting, should always be examined by a doctor. In acute pancreatitis will pain intensity and character usually lead to hospitalization.

The diagnosis may be difficult to put themselves in a hospital. There are various blood tests, which can support the suspicion of pancreatitis, and one can exclude many other modes with various blood tests and scans. By these methods may be a bug. operative gallstones also available. For long-term process which thoroughly examined the degree of complications, which says something about the prognosis.

Have we once had pancreatitis, it is important to reduce or stop the consumption of alcohol.

Treatment of acute pancreatitis

If the triggering cause can be treated, is focusing on this. For example. can operate when a gallstone is the cause.

In addition, does one ensure that treat symptoms and possible complications (see below). This is done among other things, with pain killer, adding liquid and salts in the bloodstream, antibiotics, oxygen-grants to breathe the air, nausea medicine and other properties
In severe pancreatitis with extensive damage to the pancreas may be necessary to operate and remove dead tissue and infection several times during the speeches.

Select and complications

The course of acute pancreatitis vary widely. A light could be over after 1-2 days of abdominal pain without other symptoms or complications. Acute pancreatitis can sometimes be the first sign of the development of chronic pancreatitis. This is seen most often when the cause is alcohol, but almost never triggered by gallstone pancreatitis.

Complications that may arise in and around the pancreas, consists of:
Fluid, bleeding and necrosis (vævsdød), infections with abscess formation (after several weeks). Decreased production of the hormone insulin (which allows increased blood sugar, see also below diabetes).

Complications that may arise in other agencies include:
Decreased respiratory function, the influence of bile system and the liver, low blood pressure may. leading to shock, kidney failure, cardiac effects, necrosis of fat tissue.

In the difficult course with many complications have acute pancreatitis a relatively high mortality, and death can occur within days. This form is not quite frequent, and most cases are easy to spontaneous healing after a short illness.

This article is formed on the Health Guide on 20.11.06