Chronic Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. Chronic Pancreatitis is a form of pancreatitis that gets worse over a period of time leading to permanent damage to the structure & functioning of pancreas.
The role pancreas is to produce enzymes & hormones that process & digest foods. It also plays a crucial role moderating sugar levels in the blood. Chronic Pancreatitis is more common in the age group of 30 to 40 and is more often found in men than women.
What are the Symptoms?
In the initial phase of the disease, the patient may not have any symptoms.
- Severe pain in the upper part of the abdomen
- Diarrhea
- Nausea & Vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained weight loss
- Excessive thirst & fatigue
As the disease progresses, symptoms may become more severe & may include:
- Pancreatic fluids in the stomach
- Jaundice
- Internal Bleeding
- Intestinal Blockage
What are the Causes?
There are many causes of Chronic Pancreatitis, the most common one being excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic Pancreatitis may also be caused by certain medical conditions which include:
- Autoimmune diseases
- Genetic Factors
- High levels of calcium in the blood
- High levels of triglycerides
- Pancreatic stones or gallstones
How is it Diagnosed?
Diagnosis of Chronic Pancreatitis depends upon the symptoms of the patient along with test results :
- Blood tests to check for levels of pancreatic enzymes
- CT Scan, MRI or Ultrasound Scan to detect inflammation of the pancreas
- ERCP – Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography to identify blockages & damage to the ducts.
- MRCP – Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography to evaluate the ducts.
What are the Risk Factor?
Abusing alcohol increases your risk of developing chronic pancreatitis. Smoking is believed to increase the risk of pancreatitis among alcoholics. In some cases, a family history of chronic pancreatitis can increase your risk.
Chronic pancreatitis most frequently develops in people between the ages of 30 and 40. The condition is also more common among men than women.
Children living in tropical regions of Asia and Africa may be at risk for developing tropical pancreatitis, which is another type of chronic pancreatitis. The exact cause of tropical pancreatitis is unknown, but it may be related to malnutrition.
How is it Treated?
Patients with Chronic Pancreatitis may need lifestyle changes such as completely stopping consumption of alcohol & tobacco. Although tobacco is not a cause of pancreatitis, it can speed up disease progression.
Surgical Intervention:
- Endoscopic Surgery : A device with tiny deflated balloon is inserted through an endoscope and once it reaches the duct, the balloon is inflated to widen the duct. To prevent the duct from narrowing back, a stent is placed.
- Pancreatic Resection : This is a procedure in which the head of the pancreas is surgically removed to relieve the pain caused by inflammation.
- Total Pancreatectomy: This procedure involves surgical removal of the entire pancreas. This is an effective solution for dealing with the pain. However, the patient will have to be dependant on treatment for release of insulin etc.