Pancreatitis
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| Definition |
The term pancreatitis means
inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ in the
abdomen that makes digestive juices and insulin. Normally, the
digestive juices are emptied into the bowel to help digest food.
When the pancreas is injured, the digestive juices irritate and even
digest the pancreas itself. This may cause moderate to severe
abdominal pain, nausea (upset stomach) and vomiting.
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| Causes |
The most common causes of
pancreatitis are gallstones, alcohol and medications. There are many
other causes of pancreatitis but they are uncommon.
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| Treatment |
If possible, the cause of the
pancreatitis should be removed. Thereafter the treatment of
pancreatitis is mainly supportive care. This means the patient
receives medical supportive care while the inflammation of the
pancreas heals. Pain control, nutrition and watching the patient for
infection in the pancreas and other parts of the body are the main
concerns. In the most severe cases of pancreatitis, patients may
require surgery to remove permanently damaged pancreas tissue or
infection of the pancreas.
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| Comments |
Currently, there is no immediate
cure for pancreatitis. Some patients heal quickly while others may
heal over a period of months. If a patient requires nutrition
support, it is usually given IV. Rarely, pancreatitis may cause
injury to other organs of the body such as the lung, kidneys and
liver. If this occurs, pancreatitis may be life threatening.
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