Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed due to enzymes damaging its own healthy tissue. This condition often causes severe symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and a yellow tint to the skin or eyes.
Common causes of this inflammation include gallstones, heavy alcohol use, or certain health conditions like viral infections. Recognizing these triggers is essential since untreated pancreatitis can lead to serious complications such as kidney disease or permanent organ damage.
Diagnosis typically involves imaging and blood tests to check enzyme levels before a doctor determines the appropriate care. Treatment often requires hospital observation with intravenous fluids and medications, though some cases may eventually need surgical intervention or long-term lifestyle changes.
Common symptoms
The main symptoms of pancreatitis are:
- Pain in the upper abdomen, which may radiate to the back, and worsen with time or after eating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swelling and tenderness in the belly
- Yellow skin and eyes
- Fever
- Increased heart rate
- Yellow or white stools which may have white or oily streaks
- Unintentional weight loss
- Malnutrition, as food is not totally absorbed in the gut
It is important to consult a doctor if you notice these symptoms so that treatment can be started promptly. Quick treatment can prevent complications like bleeding, kidney disease, or abnormal heart or lung functioning, which can be life-threatening.
Confirming a diagnosis
Pancreatitis is diagnosed by a gastroenterologist or general practitioner, who will evaluate your symptoms, health history, medication use and alcohol intake before completing a physical assessment.
The doctor may also order imaging and lab tests, and will likely check amylase and lipase levels. These are enzymes that are produced by the pancreas and become elevated with pancreatitis.
Types of pancreatitis
The main types of pancreatitis are:
1. Acute pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly, with intense symptoms coming on abruptly. Many patients report abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
This type of pancreatitis has a relatively short duration, and is mainly caused by excessive alcohol intake, gallstones or medications.
2. Chronic pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by symptoms that gradually worsen. It can potentially cause permanent damage to the pancreas and make treatment more complex.
This type of pancreatitis can be caused by alcohol abuse, but it can also be a complication of other health conditions, like cystic fibrosis and lupus, or occur even after acute pancreatitis.
3. Alcoholic pancreatitis
Alcoholic pancreatitis is caused by excess alcohol intake and alcohol abuse. It is the most common cause of acute or chronic pancreatitis.
4. Autoimmune pancreatitis
Autoimmune pancreatitis is a rarer type of pancreatitis. With this type, the immune system produces antibodies that perceive the pancreas to be foreign tissue, which triggers them to attack and damage the pancreas.
This type of pancreatitis can result in chronic or recurrent pancreatitis.
Possible causes
The main causes of pancreatitis are:
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Gallstones
- High triglyceride levels
- High calcium levels
- Pancreas injuries or tumors
- Use of medications, like azathioprine, mercaptopurine, valproic acid, ACE inhibitors or mesalamine
- Viral infections, like the mumps or measles
- Autoimmune conditions
Furthermore, people with a family history of pancreatitis are also more likely to develop this condition at some point in their lives.
Weight loss injections
Weight loss injections like Wegovy, Saxenda, and Mounjaro have been linked to a potential risk of acute pancreatitis. While this is considered a rare side effect, it is still a possibility for some users.
Most people using these medications do not develop the condition. However, the general medical advice is to stop treatment immediately if pancreatitis is suspected and to avoid restarting the medication if the diagnosis is confirmed.
Before starting a prescription, doctors should evaluate individual risk factors such as a history of gallstones or heavy alcohol consumption. Here is an overview of the most common weight loss medications and how they work.
Treatment options
Treatment for pancreatitis should be guided by a gastroenterologist or family doctor, and may vary depending on the type of pancreatitis you have.
The main treatment approaches for pancreatitis include:
1. Hospital admission
Hospitalization is indicated for acute pancreatitis, with administration of serum into the vein, fasting until the crisis passes or oral feeding if tolerated or through a nasogastric tube.
In addition, analgesic pain medications are used and antibiotics are used, in some cases, to reduce the risk of secondary infections.
2. Surgery
Surgery may be indicated to treat acute pancreatitis caused by gallbladder stones or gallbladder information.
Chronic pancreatitis may also require surgery if it presents with uncontrollable pain. The doctor may opt to remove the damaged part of the pancreas, or the entire organ.
3. Lifestyle changes
Patients with chronic pancreatitis are advised to incorporate lifestyle changes into their treatment plan, like smoking cessation or reducing/eliminating alcohol intake. A pancreatitis diet may also be beneficial for most patients.
The doctor may also prescribe analgesics to help manage pain, as well as oral enzymes to promote optimal food digestion and nutrient absorption.
Other measures
Some precautions that can help to prevent new flare-ups of pancreatitis or speed-up recovery include:
- Taking medications as prescribed by your doctor and avoiding self-medication
- Avoiding alcohol
- Increasing water intake;
- Avoiding fatty, fried or processed foods
- Smoking cessation
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
Furthermore, you are advised to eat small portions more frequently, and opting for light, easy-to-digest foods, such as white toast, crackers and rice.