What Is Acute Pancreatitis?
Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly, lasts for a short period of time, and usually gets better.
Some people have more than one attack of acute pancreatitis and recover completely after each, but acute pancreatitis can be a severe, life-threatening illness with many complications.
About 80,000 cases of acute pancreatitis occur in the United States each year; about 20 percent of them are severe. Acute pancreatitis occurs more often in men than women.
Acute Pancreatitis and Understanding the Pancreas
The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach and close to the duodenum, the upper part of the small intestine. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine through a tube called the pancreatic duct. These enzymes help digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in food. The pancreas also releases the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. These hormones help the body use the glucose it takes from food for energy. Normally, digestive enzymes do not become active until they reach the small intestine, where they begin digesting food. However, if these enzymes become active inside the pancreas, they start "digesting" the pancreas itself.
Causes of Acute Pancreatitis
In the majority of cases, acute
pancreatitis is caused by gallstones or by drinking too much alcohol, but these aren't the only causes of acute pancreatitis. If alcohol use and gallstones aren't to blame, other possible causes should be carefully examined so appropriate treatment -- if available -- can begin. Other, less common, causes of acute pancreatitis can include:
- Trauma to the pancreas
- Certain medications (such as corticosteroids, azathioprine, some diuretics, 5-aminosalicylic acid, estrogen, and valproic acid)
- Congenital conditions such as pancreas divisum
- Hereditary conditions
- High fat levels in the blood (hyperlipidemia or hypertriglyceridemia)
- High levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia)
- Cystic fibrosis complications
- Viral infections (such as mumps)
- Pancreatic or bile duct surgery
- Electrolyte problems.
In about 15 percent of acute pancreatitis cases, the cause is not known.
Symptoms of Acute Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis usually begins with pain in the upper abdomen that may last for a few days. The pain may be severe and may become constant -- just in the abdomen -- or it may reach to the back and other areas. It may be sudden and intense or begin as a mild pain that gets worse when food is eaten. Someone with
acute pancreatitis symptoms often looks and feels very sick.
Other Acute Pancreatitis Symptoms
Other symptoms of acute pancreatitis may include:
- Swollen and tender abdomen
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Rapid pulse.
Diagnosing Acute Pancreatitis
Besides asking about a person's medical history and doing a physical exam, a doctor will order a blood test and possibly imaging tests to diagnose acute
pancreatitis.
Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis treatment depends on the severity of the attack. If no kidney or lung complications occur, acute pancreatitis usually improves on its own.
Treatment for acute pancreatitis, in general, is designed to support vital bodily functions and prevent complications. A hospital stay will be necessary for the treatment of acute pancreatitis so that fluids can be replaced through an intravenous line (IV).
Possible Complications of Acute Pancreatitis
A number of possible complications can occur with acute pancreatitis. These include:
- Lung problems (including lung failure)
- Stomach problems
- Infections
- Kidney failure.
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