Acute Pancreatitis: Drugs, Causes, Symptoms, etc.

Definition of acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas. In contrast to chronic pancreatitis whose symptoms appear gradually, inflammation of the pancreas in acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly.

The pancreas is an organ that functions to make pancreatic fluid (which contains digestive enzymes) and produces several hormones, including insulin to regulate glucose and glucagon levels.

Most people with inflammation of the pancreas recover completely after getting the right treatment. In severe cases, pancreatitis can cause bleeding into the gland, serious tissue damage, infection, and cyst formation.

Severe inflammation of the pancreas can also harm other vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

How common is acute pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis can be experienced by all age groups. However, this disease most often occurs in middle-aged men over 40 years of age. Often patients who have inflammation of the pancreas also have gallstones.

Signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis

A typical symptom of pancreatitis is the sudden appearance of pain in the upper abdomen that lasts for several days. Pain can be creeping to the chest and back.

The pain is accompanied by a feeling that is quite heavy, but after a while it will be lighter. Generally, the pain is more pronounced when you eat.

Apart from abdominal pain, there are other accompanying symptoms that you need to pay attention to. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, acute pancreatitis will cause symptoms, including:

fever,
nausea and vomiting,
fast heart rate, as well
swelling that feels tender to the touch.

There may be signs and symptoms of acute inflammation of the pancreas not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When to see a doctor?

If you have any of the signs or symptoms above, you should immediately consult a doctor, especially when the pain persists for several days. This includes if you have questions about the symptoms that arise.

Remember, each person’s body is different, so the symptoms that appear can also vary from person to person. Always consult a doctor to ensure your health condition.

Causes and risk factors

What causes acute pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis occurs when enzymes are activated while they are still in the pancreas. In fact, enzymes should be activated when distributed to other parts of the body that need them. As a result, the cells in the pancreas become inflamed.

This repeated inflammation that occurs in the pancreas causes damage to the pancreas. Scar tissue can form in the pancreas, causing loss of function. A poorly functioning pancreas can lead to digestive problems and diabetes.

Various things that are generally the cause of pancreatitis, namely:

gallstones,
excessive use of alcohol,
genetic disorders of the pancreas,
use of drugs, such as tetracycline, sulfasalazine, or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole,
there is trauma after undergoing surgery on the pancreas,
blockage or cancer cells in the pancreas,
high cholesterol and calcium levels in the blood, and
the presence of a viral or parasitic infection.

Of all the causes, gallstones are the most common in patients. Gallstones can get stuck in the pancreatic duct, causing blockage and causing inflammation.

However, in some cases, the cause of inflammation of the pancreas may not be known. This condition is known as idiopathic pancreatitis.

What increases the risk of getting this disease?

Below are various factors that make a person more susceptible to acute pancreatitis.

Alcoholic addict.
Heavy smoker.
Have a family member have had pancreatitis infection.
High levels of fat in the blood.
Have several other diseases, such as gallstone disease and cystic fibrosis.
Structural problems with the pancreas or bile duct, especially in cases where the pancreas has ruptured and has two bile ducts.
Drug use, including estrogen therapy and some antibiotics.
Having excessive body weight (obesity).

Complications of acute pancreatitis

Untreated acute inflammation of the pancreas can develop chronic and cause complications. Some of the complications of pancreatitis are listed below.

1. Pseudocyst

Inflammation of acute pancreatitis can cause fluids and other substances to build up and form cysts. If they get larger in size, the pseudocyst can rupture, causing bleeding and infection.

2. Infection

Untreated pancreatitis is prone to infection. This complication requires intensive care, namely surgical removal of the infected tissue.

3. Kidney failure

Inflammation of the pancreas can affect kidney health and cause kidney failure. If it is severe, kidney failure requires regular dialysis treatment.

4. Respiratory problems

Pancreatitis can cause chemical changes in the body related to lung function. In some cases, inflammation of the pancreas causes the oxygen level in the blood to drop to dangerous levels.

5. Diabetes

The pancreas that becomes inflamed over time can be damaged. This cell damage can interfere with insulin production, causing diabetes.

6. Malnutrition

When the pancreas has problems, the digestive process can be disturbed. In people with pancreatitis, the pancreas produces fewer enzymes that are used to break down and digest nutrients from food.

As a result, nutritional deficiencies can occur and lead to weight loss. Even if the portion of the meal is increased, body weight will still decrease.

7. Pancreatic cancer

The presence of inflammation in the pancreas in time can trigger the cells around it to become abnormal. This can increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Diagnosis and treatment

How to diagnose this disease?

The doctor will perform a medical history check or medical examination. After that, the doctor will usually perform further tests in the form of blood tests and urine tests. The doctor also may perform a tomography (CT) or ultrasound of the abdominal area.

Blood tests are done to check the levels of amylase and lipase, digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas. If the pancreas is inflamed, the amylase or lipase levels will show higher results.

Levels of calcium, magnesium, salt, potassium, and bicarbonate in the blood can change. The concentration of sugar and fat (lipids) in the blood can also be increased. After the pancreas recovers, these levels will usually return to normal.

What are the treatment options for acute pancreatitis?

Treatment for pancreatitis is generally in the form of supportive therapy during hospitalization in the hospital.

Patients with mild pancreatitis cannot eat for 3 – 4 days. Therefore, the nutritional needs and fluids will be given intravenously. In addition, the doctor will also provide pain relievers and other drugs to relieve inflammation of the pancreas.

If the condition is mild, the patient will only be treated for a few days. However, patients with severe acute pancreatitis may be on the IV for a longer time. Surgery will be performed if there are signs of infection, cysts, or bleeding.

Pain caused by gallstones can be treated by removing the gall bladder or performing bile duct surgery when there is inflammation of the marrow.

Home treatment of acute pancreatitis

Below are the lifestyle and home remedies that can help you treat pancreatitis and prevent it from coming back.

Reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption.
If you are a smoker, stop smoking.
Maintain a diet by avoiding fatty foods and high cholesterol. Choose foods rich in other nutrients such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and protein.
Control your weight and exercise routine if possible.
Drink lots of water so you don’t get dehydrated.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.

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