Chronic Pancreatitis

About Pancreatitis

The condition known as pancreatitis is very simple to understand. The function of the pancreas is usually impaired or greatly diminished causing a wide array of symptoms and complications. Most commonly, pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas swells or is overworked from over-production of the enzymes which it is designed to excrete. Pancreatitis can cause or be part of diabetes mellitus type II. The more severe and difficult to manage type of pancreatitis is known as chronic pancreatitis.

The Condition of Chronic Pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is more commonly a result of having previous acute pancreatitis episodes. It can also occur when the pancreas is inflamed for a long period of time as well as during a time period when the pancreas ceases to function properly. In a large percentage of cases, alcohol consumption is the main culprit because it causes the pancreas to overwork in order to remove the “toxin” from the system. When damages to the pancreas are caused by alcohol, it may take many years for it to develop into chronic pancreatitis which makes it difficult for drinkers to believe that alcohol causes it until it is too late.

Common Risk Factors for Chronic Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is known to occur in people for many different reasons. These reasons could simply be genetically predisposed or the condition could be caused by long periods of improper treatment of the body and its endocrine system which includes the pancreas. The following are the most common causes of chronic pancreatitis:

Excess Alcohol Consumption – the consumption of alcohol is generally bad for the entire body. Alcohol abuse can cause pancreatitis simply because it overworks the body and many integral organs including the pancreas. Consuming a small amount of alcohol per day would not cause serious damage to the body as consumption done by an alcoholic would.

Hereditary Conditions - Rarely, some people are predisposed to the condition through weak genetics. The condition could simply occur because their body has a weak pancreas or one which could not function correctly. These people are most likely to have severe pancreatitis episodes which could become life threatening.

Heavy Sugar Consumption – The pancreas releases insulin as well as many other enzymes into the blood stream. When insulin is released, it helps to consume the active amount of blood glucose to keep it balanced. When high amounts of glucose are present over a long period of time, the pancreas may be overworked and can lose function when it becomes inflamed. This can be a cause or contributing factor to many who are diabetic or at risk of diabetes mellitus type II.

Diets High in “Bad” Fats – Triglycerides are one of the worse kinds of fats that you can consume. Failing economic systems are causing many people to switch to a diet of fast food and cheap alternatives to healthy diets of whole grains and organic produce. The consumption of low quality meat provides an excess of triglycerides and other bad fats and cholesterols which make the pancreas work extra hard. The pancreas creates a special enzyme called lipase to deal with fats in the body,

Gallbladder Problems and Surgery – The gallbladder can have many problems which could lead to pancreatitis. One of the most common problems is with gallstones. These stones can be very painful and can cause infection leading to the removal of the stones or the entire gallbladder itself. Since the proximity of the pancreas to the gallbladder is very short in distance, this disturbance can cause a negative impact on the pancreas which leads to pancreatitis.

Recurring Acute Pancreatitis Episodes – Acute pancreatitis is less severe, but serious nonetheless. Having one or more episodes can make the pancreas weaker and can eventually lead to the destruction of the organ and the loss of proper pancreatic function for the body. When this occurs, chronic pancreatitis can be life threatening and very difficult to treat.

Symptoms of Chronic Pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is a very serious condition which has serious symptoms. The symptoms are very similar to acute pancreatitis symptoms and will almost always include abdominal pains. This is a list of the symptoms which may be experienced during chronic pancreatitis:

• Upper Abdominal Pain
• Accompanying Radiated Back Pain
• Boring/Burning Sensation
• Swollen and Tender Abdomen
• Nausea and Vomiting
• High Fever
• Increased Heart Rate
• Fainting or Weakness
• Severe Confusion or Disorientation

Having any of these symptoms could be a sign that pancreatitis is very close to occurring or is under way. If anyone experiences one or a combination of these symptoms, it is important that they see a doctor of go to the hospital for treatment. Usually the pain that is experienced during chronic pancreatitis is so severe that many patients seek help from hospitals fearing that the pain may be from some other severe condition.

Someone who goes into a chronic pancreatitis situation may be able to link it to gallstone disease. The same passageway is used by both the pancreas and the gallbladder and when gallstones are passed, they can clog up the passage between the pancreas to release and excrete insulin and other important enzymes into the body. This duct that is used as a drainage passage is called the ampulla and can easily cause acute pancreatitis. Repeated stone production could eventually lead to chronic pancreatitis because of the heavy effects of the condition on the body and taxing effects on the organs.

Diagnostic Testing for Chronic Pancreatitis

The many different tests which can be used to determine whether or not chronic pancreatitis is the cause of the pain and symptoms that a patient is having will vary. They can test certain parts or be visual inspections using various tools. These diagnostic tests are:

Pancreatic Function Test - This test will check the levels of enzymes which are normally produced by the pancreas. If the readings are abnormal, it may be a sign of chronic pancreatitis which must be treated immediately.

Glucose Tolerance Test – Measuring the damage to the cells in the pancreas that make insulin with a glucose tolerance test ensures that the pancreas is in full working order. Diminished insulin production can be a sign that extensive damage to the pancreas has occurred which could lead to inflammation or infection of the organ to cause chronic pancreatitis.

Ultrasound Inspection – A visual representation of the pancreas made with an ultrasound machine can help a doctor determine the anomalies in a pancreas such as inflammation or other damages. This can be the best noninvasive option to determine chronic pancreatitis.

CT Scan – The CT scan is a very useful imaging option which can provide the necessary visual representation of the pancreas which can determine a case of chronic pancreatitis. The CT scan can also show other damage to an area if the cause if from trauma which has progressively gotten worse due to several different factors.

ERCP – The endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is possible through the use of contrast dyes to color the pancreas and take revealing X-ray images of the pancreatic and bile ducts. This can help to identify problems such as chronic pancreatitis which could be very serious for some patients.

Biopsy of Pancreatic Tissue – A needle is used to extract a sample of pancreatic tissue which is then tested and used to determine the possibility of pancreatitis. This is the most direct method which could really reveal chronic pancreatitis quickly after examination of the tissue.

Treatment of Chronic Pancreatitis

The condition in which chronic pancreatitis occurs can be very difficult to treat and manage. Relieving the pain is usually done with the help of pain medications such as morphine or other options. Treating the metabolic problems are next which are usually the result of the lowered pancreatic function if any. This can take time and is usually done by providing hydration and electrolytes through an intravenous line. Patients are usually taken off of food and drink to help reduce the stress on the pancreas when treatment starts. If the pancreas is not producing the proper enzymes or insulin, the patient may be given pills or intravenous injections of these substances to aid metabolic function.

Antibiotics are a necessary addition to many patients’ treatment because it helps fend off infections in the pancreas and other organs. Surgery may also be required to relieve the abdominal pain if it is caused by blocked pancreatic secretions. This surgery would treat gallstones as well as make it possible for the pancreas to heal if that is the cause of the problem.

Productive Post Treatment of Chronic Pancreatitis

A low-fat diet is almost always preferred by doctors for their chronic pancreatitis patients. This is because it reduces the amount of work and enzyme needed from the pancreas to process the food. The removal of any and all alcoholic beverages from the diet is also important. Use of proper medications to treat the condition also helps to prevent it from worsening or recurring. Some people have to deal with permanent pancreatic loss of function which can be very difficult to live with.