Pancreatitis Case Study

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The pancreas is a large glandular organ that is located behind the stomach. The main functions of the pancreas is to release the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream and secrete powerful digestive enzymes which enter the small intestine to help the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Pancreatitis is a rare digestive disorder that occurs due to the inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas gets damaged because the body is unable to secrete enough digestive enzymes to break down foods. The symptoms of acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis are shown below: Acute pancreatitis: • Upper abdominal pain that radiates into the back • Swollen & tender abdomen • Nausea and vomiting • Fever • Increased heart rate Chronic pancreatitis: • Constant pain that radiates in the upper abdomen that • radiates into the back • Weight loss • Diabetes (if the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas become damaged) • Indigestion • Diarrhea Image above depicts the location of the pancreas in the human body. There are two forms of pancreatitis. They include acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis: Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas for a short period of time. Heavy alcohol use, medications, metabolic disorders, gallstones and etc. usually cause acute pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis: Chronic pancreatitis is an ongoing inflammation of the pancreas, which is caused by overuse of alcohol, cystic fibrosis, certain medications, high triglycerides and etc. Demographically, the risk of getting pancreatitis increases with age. The incidence rate is approximately 20 cases per 100 000 people. Statistically, males are prone to ... ... middle of paper ... ...s Cited ERCP: A Patient’s Guide | ACG Patients. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://patients.gi.org/topics/ercp-a-patients-guide/ Pancreatitis Picture, Symptoms, Causes, and More. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/understanding-pancreatitis-basics Acute Pancreatitis Causes, Diagnosis & Treatments - Clinical Key. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.clinicalkey.com/topics/gastroenterology/acute-pancreatitis.html Alcohol and pancreatitis. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/check-the-facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/effects-on-the-body/alcohol-and-pancreatitis Chronic pancreatitis. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/chronicpancreatitis.htm Acute pancreatitis statistics - countries compared - NationMaster. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/mor_acu_pan-mortality-acute-pancreatitis

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