Pancreatitis Explained
The Age
Friday January 7, 2005
SHAPED like a tadpole and tucked behind the stomach, the pancreas helps us digest food and keep blood sugar under control.
Its digestive juices and enzymes break down protein, fats and carbohydrates as they reach the small intestine, while insulin helps sugar pass into the cells.Acute pancreatitis strikes when enzymes cannot leave the pancreas - often because a gallstone blocks their way. The trapped enzymes cause irritation, burning and inflammation, leading to symptoms including pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, jaundice and appetite loss. In severe cases, the heart, lungs, and kidneys can fail, causing death.An acute attack is most often caused by gallstones or too much alcohol, but can also be triggered by drugs, mumps, trauma to the pancreas or pancreatic cancer. In one in 10 cases, the cause cannot be found.Patients are given painkillers and often put on a drip while they fast completely. Bed rest helps reduce the swelling faster. If gallstones are the culprit, surgery can be required. In the longer term, patients are told to eat a low-fat diet, keep fit, and stay off alcohol.Some people have recurring acute attacks that eventually can lead to scarring of the pancreas.
© 2005 The Age