Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas The pancreas is a long, flat, glandular organ located in the upper abdomen, behind the stomach The pancreas produces enzymes that help us digest food and hormones that help us metabolize sugar in the body.
Pancreatitis can be acute - appearing soon, suddenly and lasting for several days, or chronic - for several years.
Mild cases of pancreatitis remain untreated, but severe cases are sometimes characterized by life-threatening complications.
How Pancreatitis Develops Pancreatitis develops when digestive enzymes produced in the pancreas become active inside the gland and damage it.
During normal digestion, inactive enzymes are released into the duct and enter the small intestine, where they are activated and digest food. In pancreatitis, the enzymes are activated prematurely while still passing through the gland The enzyme irritates the pancreatic cells, causing inflammation and related signs and symptoms
In case of recurrence of acute pancreatitis, organ damage develops and chronic pancreatitis is formed. Scar tissue forms in the pancreas and causes a decrease in function Such an organ is associated with digestive problems and diabetes
Pancreatitis has many causes Acute and chronic pancreatitis can have many possible causes, for example:
- Alcoholism
- Gall bladder stones
- Abdominal surgery
- Certain
Signs and symptoms of pancreatitis vary and depend on the type of inflammation
Symptoms of acute pancreatitis include:
- Upper abdominal pain
- Upper abdominal pain that may radiate to the back
- Abdominal pain that is worse after eating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Seek emergency care if the abdominal pain is so severe that you cannot find a comfortable position
