Acute pancreatitis (patient information): Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
|||
| Line 65: | Line 65: | ||
==How to know you have Acute pancreatitis (Diagnosis)?== | ==How to know you have Acute pancreatitis (Diagnosis)?== | ||
'''An examination used to diagnose acute pancreatitis may show:''' | |||
* [[Fever]] | |||
* [[Low blood pressure]] | |||
* Rapid heart rate | |||
* Rapid breathing (respiratory) rate | |||
'''Tests that show release of pancreatic enzymes:''' | |||
* Elevated [[serum amylase]] | |||
* Elevated [[serum lipase]] | |||
* Elevated [[urine amylase]] | |||
'''Test that show inflammation of the pancreas:''' | |||
* Abdominal [[CT scan]] | |||
* Abdominal [[MRI]] | |||
* Abdominal [[ultrasound]] | |||
'''Other blood tests:''' | |||
* [[CBC]] | |||
* [[Glucose test]] | |||
* [[Serum calcium]] | |||
==When to seek urgent medical care== | ==When to seek urgent medical care== | ||
Revision as of 17:31, 17 August 2009
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-in-Chief: Meagan E. Doherty
Please Join in Editing This Page and Apply to be an Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [1] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.
What is Acute pancreatitis?
Acute pancreatitis is swelling (inflammation) of the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach. It releases digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon.
What are the symptoms of Acute pancreatitis?
- Abdominal pain that is greatest in the upper abdomen (upper left quadrant or upper middle of the abdomen)
- Is persistent or chronic
- May be worse lying flat on the back
- May spread (radiate) to the back or below the left shoulder blade
- May be worse after eating or drinking (occurs within minutes following meals), especially foods with a high fat content
- May be worse after drinking alcohol
- Anxiety
- Fever
- Mild jaundice
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
Other symptoms that may occur with this disease:
- Indigestion
- Clay-colored stools
- Gaseous abdominal fullness
- Hiccups
- Skin rash or lesion
- Swollen abdomen
What are the causes of Acute pancreatitis?
The main causes of acute pancreatitis in adults are:
Other causes include:
- Certain medications (especially estrogens, corticosteroids, thiazide diuretics, and azathioprine)
- Common bile duct surgical procedures
- Surgery to the pancreas
- Traumatic injury
- Viral infection (mumps, coxsackie B, mycoplasma pneumonia, and campylobacter)
Acute pancreatitis may also be caused by:
- An abnormal structure of the pancreas
- Complications of cystic fibrosis
- Genetic factors (hereditary pancreatitis)
- High lipid levels in the blood (hypertriglyceridemia)
What exactly causes pancreatitis is not well known. It is thought that enzymes the pancreas normally releases in an inactive form become activated inside the pancreas and start to digest the pancreatic tissue. This process is called autodigestion. It causes swelling, bleeding (hemorrhage), and damage to the blood vessels.
In children, this disorder may be associated with:
- Abdominal trauma
- Cystic fibrosis
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome
- Kawasaki disease
- Mumps
- Reye syndrome
- Some medications
- Various viral illnesses
Who is at risk for Acute pancreatitis?
The disease affects men more often than women. Alcohol abuse is an important risk factor.
How to know you have Acute pancreatitis (Diagnosis)?
An examination used to diagnose acute pancreatitis may show:
- Fever
- Low blood pressure
- Rapid heart rate
- Rapid breathing (respiratory) rate
Tests that show release of pancreatic enzymes:
- Elevated serum amylase
- Elevated serum lipase
- Elevated urine amylase
Test that show inflammation of the pancreas:
- Abdominal CT scan
- Abdominal MRI
- Abdominal ultrasound
Other blood tests:
When to seek urgent medical care
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for Acute pancreatitis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Acute pancreatitis