The pancreas is an organ in the digestive system that is responsible for regulating blood sugar and secreting hormones and also produces enzymes involved in digestion. Pancreatitis is a painful illness affecting this organ that sends hundreds of thousands of Americans to the hospital each year.

pancreatitis

shutterstock_549919366

Urolithiasis. Chronic pancreatitis. Stones in the urine. The man grabbed his groin in a fit of pain.

GettyImages-649782380 (1)

GettyImages-649782380-1_246x246_acf_cropped

GettyImages-649782380-1_580x300_acf_cropped

Mayo Clinic

Harvard Health

National Institute of Health

National Health Service

kristie-320-bw_320x320_acf_cropped

The pancreas is an organ that aids in digestion by releasing enzymes into the intestines and hormones into the blood stream. Pancreatitis is a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. Sometimes the inflammation is short-lived—for instance, when the tube to the intestines becomes blocked by a gallstone; this is called acute pancreatitis. Other times, the inflammatory process persists and can become progressive, over time leading to irreversible damage to the pancreas; this is called chronic pancreatitis.
&lt;br&gt;
The primary symptom of pancreatitis is abdominal pain, which can range from mild to severe. A severe case of acute pancreatitis can cause debilitating pain, but with treatment or resolution of the underlying cause, the inflammation and pain go away and there is little to no permanent damage to the pancreas. While the pain of chronic pancreatitis may be more mild, it tends to be longer-lasting and can significantly lower the individual’s quality of life. Other symptoms of pancreatitis include diarrhea, fatty stools, nausea and vomiting, and unexplained weight loss.
&lt;br&gt;
Treatment depends upon the cause of the pancreatitis and may include surgery to remove a gallstone or cessation of alcohol use, with pain medication taken to manage the pain.

Conditions

"Condition" is a general term for particular abnormal diseases that negatively affect a part or all of the body. Conditions are not due to any external injury. Therefore, a broken bone does not classify as a condition, whereas Herpes, OCD, Shingles, and Ulcers do.

Medical conditions are classified by specific symptoms and signs. While each person's experiences can vary, there are consistent signs and symptoms that doctors will look for when diagnosing their patients. We always recommend that people seek a professional diagnosis. Afterward, supplement medical advice and opinion with accurate and easy to read information.

Most people only spend an average of a couple minutes with their doctor during a checkup. Oftentimes patients don't receive the fullest explanation of their diagnosis. Easily search through the vast amount of articles that Facty Health offers for ones that address your specific needs. From there, allow us to help you with those unanswered questions.

Pancreatitis

Decoding Pancreatitis: 10 Symptoms to Watch Out For

8. Swelling of the Abdomen

Popular Now on Facty Health

Disclaimer