Pancreatic Shock

The pancreas is the organ that sits behind the stomach and produces insulin. It can be negatively affected by gallstones and alcohol, which are two causes of pancreatitis -- a painful inflammation of the pancreas that can be deadly.

Acute Pancreatitis

• Acute pancreatitis is the most common form of pancreatitis. Most cases are classified as mild, but if not treated, can lead to severe consequences. Generally it takes about seven days of treatment for pancreatitis to go away.

Chronic Pancreatitis

• Chronic pancreatitis occurs when a person has had one or more cases of acute pancreatitis. It is usually brought on by excessive drinking.

Symptoms

• The most obvious symptom of pancreatitis is pain (ranging from moderate to severe) in the upper abdomen. Other symptoms may include: fever, quickened heart rate, jaundice of skin and/or eyes, shock, nausea and vomiting, and abnormal sweating.

Treatment

• Treatment varies depending on whether the case is acute or chronic. For an acute case, treatment entails IV fluids and pain relievers until the inflammation and pain go away. For a chronic case, the treatment is ongoing. Pain medications are prescribed and in some cases surgery may be needed. When a pancreatitis attack occurs in a chronic patient, the treatment is the same as in an acute case.

Complications

• Complications that can arise from pancreatitis are tissue death and infection in or around the pancreas, with kidney failure and respiratory problems potentially occurring in other parts of the body. In severe cases, it can result in death. This is why it is important to be treated as soon as possible.