Overview
Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas that can be mild or life-threatening. The pancreas is a gland behind the stomach that produces digestive enzymes and hormones. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, digestive enzymes attack the pancreas itself, causing pain and damage.
Most people recover completely with treatment, but severe cases can lead to complications such as infection, organ failure, or chronic pancreatitis.
Symptoms
- Severe upper abdominal pain that may radiate to the back
- Abdominal pain that worsens after eating, especially fatty foods
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever and chills
- Rapid pulse (tachycardia)
- Swollen and tender abdomen
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes) in some cases
Causes
Common causes:
- Gallstones: Blockage of the pancreatic duct by gallstones is a leading cause.
- Heavy alcohol use: Chronic alcohol consumption can trigger acute pancreatitis.
- Medications: Certain drugs can cause pancreatitis as a side effect.
- Infections: Viral infections like mumps or hepatitis.
- Metabolic disorders: High calcium or triglyceride levels.
- Trauma: Injury to the abdomen or surgery.
- Genetic factors: Hereditary pancreatitis.
In some cases, the cause remains unknown (idiopathic).
Treatment
- Hospitalization: Most patients require hospital care for monitoring and treatment.
- IV fluids: To prevent dehydration and support blood pressure.
- Pain management: Medications to control severe abdominal pain.
- NPO (nothing by mouth): Resting the pancreas by stopping food intake temporarily.
- Nutritional support: Feeding through a tube or IV if needed.
- Treating underlying cause: Gallstone removal, alcohol cessation, or stopping offending medications.
- Surgery: In severe cases with complications like infected necrosis.