Pancreatitis

early this morning, i got a text message from a friend telling me that he might not be able to go to work today, because his wife just got admitted to the hospital due to severe abdominal pain and the initial laboratories show an indication of pancreatitis. Well, i hope it is not..Anyways, my family and I will pray for her immediate recovery. When i heard about it, I can't help myself but to look for what is " Pancreatitis" and here is what i got..

What is pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach and close to the duodenum—the first part of the small intestine.

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Inflammation of the pancreas has various causes. Once the gland becomes inflamed, the condition can progress to swelling of the gland and surrounding blood vessels, bleeding, infection, and damage to the gland. There, digestive juices become trapped and start "digesting" the pancreas itself. If this damage persists, the gland may not be able to carry out normal functions.

Pancreatitis may be acute (new, short-term) or chronic (ongoing, long-term). Either type can be very severe, even life threatening. Either type can have serious complications.

Symptoms

Acute pancreatitis usually begins with gradual or sudden pain in the upper abdomen that sometimes extends through the back. The pain may be mild at first and feel worse after eating. But the pain is often severe and may become constant and last for several days. A person with acute pancreatitis usually looks and feels very ill and needs immediate medical attention. Other symptoms may include

• a swollen and tender abdomen
• nausea and vomiting
• fever
• a rapid pulse

Severe acute pancreatitis may cause dehydration and low blood pressure. The heart, lungs, or kidneys can fail. If bleeding occurs in the pancreas, shock and even death may follow.

Both forms of pancreatitis occur more often in men than women.

know the treatment and complications

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