The pancreas is a narrow, flat glandular organ measuring 12 to 20 cm long; located inside the abdominal cavity, behind the stomach and below the liver. It has 4 (four) sections - head, neck, body, and tail. Its head section connects to the first part of the small intestine (duodenum), the neck is located near the superior mesenteric vessels, the body lies behind the posterior wall of the stomach, and the tail extends to the spleen.
The common bile duct also goes through the head section of the pancreas, carrying bile from the liver and gallbladder into the small intestine. The bile duct and pancreatic duct usually connect together before entering the duodenum and share a common opening into the small intestine.
The Pancreas secret pancreatic juice (a transparent fluid consists of electrolytes, water, and enzymes) that is rich in proteins and consists of bicarbonate fluid, digesting enzyme such as amylase, trypsin, nucleases, elastase, chymotrypsinogen, carboxypeptidase and lipase, these enzymes are essential for the digestion of fat, protein, fat, and carbohydrate in the food.
The pancreas performs two most important functions i.e. exocrine and endocrine function for human body -
Pancreas releases digestive enzyme trypsinogen which is an inactive form of trypsin, found in pancreatic juice. Trypsinogen normally are produced and carried in an inactive form to the small intestine through the common bile duct, where the Trypsin enzyme are activated as needed. Trypsin plays a role of digesting proteins, Trypsin also called as a proteinase or proteolytic enzyme. Improper activation of trypsinogen in the pancreas can lead to pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas, and it can start suddenly and stay for many days or years, it’s difficult to find in early stages. Pancreatitis is curable if diagnosed at the acute stage, chronic pancreatitis is not curable. In chronic pancreatitis patients, symptoms and associated pain may be prevented or managed.
Pancreatitis occurs when its digestive juices, or enzymes become activated inside pancreas and start damaging pancreas; which causing injury and irritation to pancreas and leading to inflammation. It may be a mild, short term condition and self-limiting or can cause severe life-threatening complications that can remain for many years.
Pancreatitis can cause severe complications that require immediate attention:
Signs and symptoms of pancreatitis depends on its type, there are some general symptoms that may indicate acute / chronic pancreatitis, include:-
There are a different type of conditions related to the pancreas including-
Pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas occurs when digestive enzymes become activated while still in the pancreas, irritating the cells of your pancreas. These conditions can cause acute or chronic pancreatitis:
Pain due to pancreatitis may be intermittent or chronic or frequently very severe sometimes people can experience intense stabbing upper abdominal pain than extend to the back. In mild cases affected from acute conditions, pain may present for few minutes and can last for several hours whereas in severe cases affected from chronic conditions, pain may become constant for years together.
Patients with pancreatitis likely to experience upper abdominal pain after food or when lying down. Treatment at early stage can help in reliving symptoms and fast recovery from it.
Pancreatitis has physical findings that affect body systems and can be diagnosed through blood test, imaging test and intervention procedure advised by doctor.
Depending on symptoms, the Gastroenterologist will ask about medical history, any family history of pancreatitis, eating and drinking habits, taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications, including vitamins and supplements.
To diagnose pancreatitis, a gastroenterologist may recommend:
Pancreatitis treatment depends upon its type, cause, and stags. It’s very important to find the cause and extent of pancreas damage in guiding treatment.
Pancreatitis treatment usually require short-term or long-term hospitalization to initiate the aggressive treatment. In general the following treatment will be initiated for the treatment of pancreatitis -
Alcohol consumption and smoking cigarettes can increase the risk of pancreatitis. It is strongly recommended quitting smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol to prevent pancreatitis.
A healthy diet rich in high fiber, maintaining healthy weight, limiting intake of sugars and regular exercise can protect you against any non-communicable disease such as pancreatitis.
These following risk factors can increase risk of pancreatitis –
Men are at high risk compared to women. Combination of any of the above risk factors can increase the chances of getting acute or chronic pancreatitis, for example obese people consuming excess alcohol or a person is smoking cigarettes and consuming alcohol may increase the risk of acute or chronic pancreatitis.
When is pancreatitis fatal?
Pancreatic necrosis is a fatal condition that occurs due to increased levels of
inflammation, resulting in blockage of blood supply to the pancreas and
formation of necrosis (death) of pancreatic tissue, leading to infection from
bacteria. This infection quickly spreads to the other organ resulting in multiple
organ failure.
Does Whipple cure pancreatic cancer?
The Whipple surgery may help in curing cancer the depending on the location
of the cancer. Since the Whipple procedure involves the removal of the head
of pancreas and if cancer is located in the same, there are chances of Whipple
surgery cure pancreatic cancer. In most cases Whipple procedure is a
potentially life-saving procedure which extends the life span of the patient.
If having persistent abdominal pain that extend to back or severe abdominal pain after having food you should seek medical attention and consult gastroenterologist or physician.
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