Chronic Pancreatitis – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments!

Chronic Pancreatitis – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments that will help  alleviate  the pain caused by this condition. In addition,  pancreatitis can be acute or chronic. Either way is serious and can lead to complications. In severe cases, bleeding, infection and permanent tissue damage can occur.

Chronic  pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that recurs. Patients with Chronic Pancreatitis may experience permanent damage to the pancreas . Its incidence is estimated between 5 and 10 cases per 100,000 individuals per year.

Pancreatic enzymes join with bile, a fluid produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder – to digest food. The pancreas  also releases the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. These hormones help the body regulate the glucose taken in from food for energy.

Normally, digestive enzymes secreted by the pancreas  do not become active until they reach the small intestine. But when the pancreas  is inflamed, the enzymes inside it attack and damage the tissues that produce them.

Chronic pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas  that doesn’t get better or heal — it gets worse over time and leads to permanent damage. Chronic Pancreatitis , like acute pancreatitis , occurs when digestive enzymes attack the pancreas and surrounding tissues, causing episodes of pain. Chronic pancreatitis usually develops in people who are between the ages of 30 and 40. So, check out more about  Chronic Pancreatitis – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments:

Causes of Chronic Pancreatitis:  The most common cause of Chronic Pancreatitis  is heavy use of alcohol for many years. The form of Chronic Pancreatitis can be triggered by an acute attack that damages the pancreatic duct. The damaged duct causes the pancreas  to become inflamed. Scar tissue develops and the pancreas  is slowly destroyed.

Other causes of Chronic Pancreatitis are:

• Certain autoimmune conditions;
• Cystic Fibrosis – the most common of the hereditary disorders that lead to Chronic Pancreatitis ;
• Hypercalcemia – high levels of calcium in the blood;
• Hyperlipidemia or hypertriglyceridemia – high levels of fats in the blood;
• Hereditary disorders of the pancreas ;
• Some medications;
• Unknown causes.

Symptoms of Chronic Pancreatitis:  The presentation of this disease takes on very varied aspects, from being almost asymptomatic in the initial or even more advanced stages, progressing in a deaf way, or immediately, very exuberant in the manifestations. Among the symptoms are:

Note: When any of these symptoms are accompanied by abdominal pain, you should seek immediate medical attention.

• Distended and sensitive abdomen;
• Fever;
• nausea;
• vomiting;
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin);
• Diarrhea;
• Swelling;
• intense sweating;
• fast pulse;

Pain can vary depending on certain factors. These include:

• Pain inside after drinking or eating food;
• Pain spreading from your abdomen to your back or left shoulder area
• Pain that lasts for several days at a time;
• Pain when you lie on your back, more so than when you are sitting.

Treatment of Chronic Pancreatitis:  Treatment of chronic pancreatitis may require hospitalization for pain management, IV hydration, and nutritional support. Nasoenteral tube feeding may also be necessary for several weeks if the person continues to lose weight.

When the normal diet is resumed, the doctor may prescribe synthetic pancreatic enzymes if the pancreas  does not secrete enough. Enzymes must be taken with each meal to help digest food and help the person regain weight. The next step is to plan a low-fat nutritional diet with small, frequent meals.

The nutritionist can help develop a meal schedule. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids and limit caffeinated drinks. People with chronic pancreatitis should be strongly advised not to smoke or consume alcohol, even if the pancreatitis is mild or in its early stages.