What is pancreatitis?

It is an acute or chronic inflammatory condition of the pancreas, which is the organ located in the upper part of the abdomen, whose function is to create enzymes that help the digestive process and hormones that regulate glucose in the body.

There are a series of conditions that favor the appearance of pancreatitis, such as:

• Family background.
• Some drugs.
• Pancreatic cancer.
• High blood sugar concentrations.
• Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• Diabetes.
• Cystic fibrosis.
• Abdominal injuries.
• Bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infections.
• Hypercalcemia.
• Gallstones.
• Obesity.
• Smoking.
• Genetic disorders.
• Blows.

Acute:

• Sore abdomen that radiates to the back.
• High fever.
• Nausea.
• Abdominal hypersensitivity.
• Vomit.

Chronic:

• Sore abdomen, especially after eating.
• Weight loss.
• Greasy and foul stools.
• Rapid heart rate.

If not treated in time, chronic pancreatitis can trigger the formation of scar tissue in the pancreas and cause organ failure. It can also cause other diseases such as diabetes, cancer, kidney problems, respiratory conditions, and digestive disorders, among others.

After analyzing your symptoms and clinical history, your doctor will request blood and stool tests, as well as an abdominal ultrasound, MRI, and CT scan to help confirm the diagnosis and rule out other diseases.

Treatment depends on the severity of the case but may include oral or intravenous painkillers and antibiotics, saline solution, a low-fat diet, and enzymes to help improve digestion. Surgery may be required in case of chronic pancreatitis.

In ABC Medical Center Internal Medicine Department, we provide you with health care services with the highest quality and safety, from prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological conditions, both chronic-degenerative and acute, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

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