Pancreatitis Symptoms

The pancreas is an organ that plays an important role in digestion and metabolism. The pancreas can be subject to an inflammatory condition known as pancreatitis, in which the pancreas's own enzymes work against it from the inside. Pancreatitis can come on suddenly or be a long-lasting problem, but the symptoms are much the same in either case.

Function

• The pancreas has two functions: to produce digestive juices and enzymes that aid in the breaking down of protein, fats and carbohydrates in the small intestine; and to secrete hormones such as insulin to help the body metabolize sugar. In cases of pancreatitis, the cells that produce these enzymes and hormones are destroyed. The leading cause of pancreatitis is alcohol abuse, but causes also include infections, cancer and the effects of certain medications.

Effects

• Acute pancreatitis will come on quickly with mild to severe pain in the upper portion of the abdomen that can radiate to the back and sometimes the chest. The pain will be constant and last for hours and often for days. It will worsen when the patient eats or drinks alcohol. There can be nausea and vomiting, along with a fever and rapid pulse. In very severe cases, the individual can dehydrate and experience low blood pressure, internal bleeding and even shock.

Time Frame

• Chronic pancreatitis can take years to manifests its symptoms. Some people that have it never have any pain, but most will have the same bouts of discomfort that those with acute pancreatitis go through--nausea, vomiting and fever. Weight loss can occur even though the person is eating normally. The stools will be oily and have a foul smell because of the poor absorption of nutrients the disease brings about.

Considerations

• There is a hereditary form of pancreatitis that features repeated attacks of pain, nausea, vomiting and fever that can last from 2 days to 2 weeks. These attacks often will develop into chronic pancreatitis. The defect that precipitates this condition is present at birth, but the symptoms will not appear until the person is at least 10 years old, sometimes as late as 20.

Prevention/Solution

• Bad run-ins with acute pancreatitis require a few days in the hospital. The pain must be brought under control and the pancreatic juices need to be balanced. You will not be able to eat or drink for a few days so you will be fed intravenously, bypassing the pancreas. Both acute and chronic pancreatitis sufferers will be urged to quit drinking alcohol if it is the cause of their pain. Enzyme therapy, a process where enzymes are increased in the bowels to reduce their being secreted by the pancreas, is one way to battle chronic pancreatitis.