Pancreatitis Symptoms

Different types of pancreatitis lead to different pancreatitis symptoms. The most common of the symptoms is abdominal pain. However, apart from this there are other symptoms as well. Scroll down for more information.

Inflammation of the pancreas is known as pancreatitis. The pancreas glands are located behind the stomach, but closer to the duodenum. This gland is responsible for secretion of digestive enzymes. The enzymes are sent through the pancreatic duct into the duodenum. These enzymes along with digestive enzymes from liver complete the digestion process. Along with the digestive enzymes, there are other tasks performed by pancreas. Insulin and glucagon are sent into the bloodstream through the pancreas. This in turn helps to keep track of glucose sent into the blood stream. Pancreatitis can either be acute or chronic. The pancreatitis symptoms will vary according to the type of pancreatitis. Let’s read about the early symptoms and causes of pancreatitis along with treatment for pancreatitis.

Causes of Pancreatitis

Pancreas problems arise immediately after damage to the pancreas. Often acute pancreatitis is caused immediately after damage to the pancreas. Inflammation of the pancreas is often seen after consumption of alcohol. In case of acute pancreatitis the symptoms are normally mild, but in some cases the symptoms of pancreatitis can become severe. Normally this condition does not last for a very long period of time. Often after appropriate medication the condition gets resolved quickly. Depending on the condition some people may suffer from one or more attacks of pancreatitis.

When acute pancreatitis condition worsens it leads to chronic pancreatitis. In some due to pancreatitis the pancreas may get scarred and may not heal. In such cases, the condition continues to worsen as the damage caused to the gland does not heal. Both acute and chronic condition can affect people in any age group, but it is rarely seen in children. Men are more affected with this condition as compared to women.

Pancreatitis Symptoms

The pancreatitis signs and symptoms are different for acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis. The symptoms of pancreatitis have been divided into acute pancreatitis symptoms and chronic pancreatitis symptoms.

Acute Pancreatitis Symptoms

The most common acute pancreatitis symptom is abdominal pain. The pancreas pain may be persistent or intermittent. The pain in some cases may come suddenly or build up over a period of time. When the pain is sudden, the pain often times is excruciating. However, when the pain builds up, it is often mild initially and goes on to becoming severe. It is commonly observed that pain starts or worsens after a meal. The period of pain is never fixed. The other symptoms include nausea, fever, swollen and tender to touch abdomen, etc. Many people try to vomit to get rid of nausea, but it often does not help in relieving the symptoms. In severe cases of pancreatitis, there can be internal infection and/or bleeding, weakness, lethargy, irritability, headache, etc.

Chronic Pancreatitis Symptoms

Chronic pancreatitis symptoms differ from acute pancreatitis symptoms. Often the most common symptom in acute is not a symptom in chronic. People with this condition normally do not experience pain. However, it is not a good sign, as when the pain goes away it means that the condition of the pancreas is deteriorating. The person may suffer from high blood sugar levels. There can be problems with digestion of food. Bleeding can also give rise to anemia. In some cases, it can also lead to jaundice.

Pancreatitis Treatment

When the symptoms of the condition are seen, it is best to visit a health care professional immediately. Different tests will help in ascertaining the exact condition. It is best not to self treat the condition, as the condition may have worsen over a period of time. One very important step is not stop drinking any kind of alcohol, as it will cause undue amount of stress on the pancreas. At the same time, it is important to eat easy to digest food and follow pancreatitis diet. The pancreatitis diet plan consists of low carb and low fat food. Over-the-counter pain killers may be taken, but it is best to seek medical help.

It is important not to neglect pancreatitis symptoms. If they are neglected, the condition can deteriorate and prove to be fatal. At the same time having small and frequent meals will prove to be beneficial in the healing process. Keeping a check on the blood sugar level is important, as in many cases if the production of insulin is hampered, it can lead to high blood sugar levels.