Dr Vikas Singla
Director and Head, Gastroenterology
Max Saket, New Delhi, India
(+91-968407407)

Acute pancreatitis : A complete and simplified guide

What is pancreas : Pancreas is a gland which secrets enzymes for the digestion of food, and hormones such as insulin and glucagon to control the blood sugar level.

What is acute pancreatitis : Literal meaning of acute pancreatitis is sudden inflammation of the pancreas. The onset of symptoms is very fast, and within few minutes or hours, the symptoms become very severe and medical consultation is required.

What are the symptoms of acute pancreatitis
1. Sudden onset pain abdomen
2. Vomiting
3. Decrease passage of gas and flatus
4. Constipation
5. Abdomen swelling
Involvement of other organs in acute pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis may affect the other organs also. Lungs, kidney, heart and brain are the most common organs affected.

What causes acute pancreatitis. Common causes of acute pancreatitis are
1. Gall bladder stone
2. Alcohol
3. Increase lipids (triglyceride in blood)
4. Increased calcium in blood
5. Drug induced
6. Virus infections such as COVID 19, mumps
7. Pancreatic tumors
8. Abdominal trauma

Common bile duct and pancreas duct open together at ampulla in duodenum (upper part of small intestine). Gall bladder stone are most common cause of acute pancreatitis in middle aged female.
Image

Alcohol consumption is a common cause of acute pancreatitis. Alcohol consumed in any form such as whiskey, beer, vodka can lead to acute pancreatitis.

Increased blood level of triglyceride and calcium can lead to acute pancreatitis. Calcium can be elevated due to increased Vit D and parathormone (PTH) level in blood.

Many viral infection such as mumps, COVID 19 can lead to acute pancreatitis, such patients complain of fever, body ache along with the pain.

Many drugs such as HIV medications, steroids, anti cancer medicines used to treat epilepsy can lead to acute pancreatitis.

During old age, tumors in the pancreas can lead to blockade of duct of pancreas and can lead to acute pancreatitis.

Abdominal wall trauma due to impactful contact of abdomen with hard objects such as car steering, bike handle, bicycle handle and bench can lead to acute pancreatitis.

Post ERCP Pancreatitis : ERCP is a procedure to remove the stone from the bile duct. Sometimes after ERCP, patient can develop acute pancreatitis. Post ERCP pancreatitis is mostly mild without any organ failure.

Diagnosis :
Blood test
In a patient suspected to have acute pancreatitis, blood test such as serum amylase/lipase level are performed. These enzymes are elevated in patients with acute pancreatitis and value can be in thousands. The level of enzymes don’t corelate with acute pancreatitis.

Imaging : USG and CT scan are performed to confirm the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and to rule out the other causes of pain abdomen.
Treatment of acute pancreatitis
After admission to the hospital, and confirmation of diagnosis, treatment of acute pancreatitis is started.
IV fluids : Due to vomiting and poor intake, most of the patients are dehydrated, IV fluids should be started in such patients.
Medications for pain and vomiting : As most of the patients has severe pain and vomiting, medicines are started in these patients to control pain and vomiting.

Prevention of another episode of acute pancreatitis

1. If the gall bladder stone or microlith are cause of acute pancreatitis, gall bladder surgery should be done to prevent acute pancreatitis.
2. Patients consuming alcohol should stop alcohol. Continuous alcohol consumption can lead to recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis, and few patients can develop chronic pancreatitis.
3. If the calcium level and triglyceride level are high, medicine should be started to control the level. If parathyroid adenoma is the cause of pain, parathyroid gland surgery should be done.
4. If pancreatic tumor is the cause of acute pancreatitis, surgery should be performed to remove the tumor.
5. If any medicine is cause of acute pancreatitis, the culprit drugs should be stopped


Dr Vikas Singla

Best treatment of is available at
#Gastron, I 103, Kirti Nagar, New Delhi
#Max Superspeciality Hospital, Saket, New #Delhi, #India






Disclaimer - The video is for educational purposes only. Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
CONTENT DISCLAIMER
This video is for information only. The creator of this video/channel will not be held responsible for any damage or loss caused. All contents provided by this channel is meant for EDUCATIONAL purpose only.

Best wishes

Vikas Singla