“Don’t wait until the well runs dry to appreciate the water,” ever heard that one before? We often take our health for granted, but when a serious illness like pancreatitis strikes, we immediately realize just how important good health is.
As the name implies, pancreatitis is a pancreas related disease. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas caused when digestive enzymes, which typically are released into the small intestine, get activated too early and attack the pancreas. In this article, we’re going to look at the types and symptoms of pancreatitis.
Types of Pancreatitis
There are two types of pancreatitis, namely: the acute and chronic.
Acute Pancreatitis
With an annual incidence of 34 per 100 000 people, acute pancreatitis is a gastrointestinal condition that happens when the enzymes your pancreas produces, which are supposed to stay inactive until they reach your intestines, start working too early. Basically, your pancreas starts digesting itself, which is as painful as it sounds.
Symptoms of Acute Pancreatitis
- Sharp abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- The whites of your eyes becomes yellow (also known as jaundice)
- Abnormal heart rate
Causes of Acute Pancreatitis
There are a couple of things that can trigger inflammation in the pancreas.
Gallstones: In this case of, gallstones which are tiny stones can block the bile ducts and make the pancreas inflamed.
Alcohol Abuse: It’s no news that drinking heavily is bad for a person’s health. Drinking heavy alcohol overtime can damage the pancreas and lead to inflammation.
Medications: As much as medications are designed to make people feel better, some of them have side effects. One of the side effects can irritate the pancreas, causing this disease.
Infections: As simple as it is, certain infections cause inflammation in the pancreas.
Trauma: If you’ve had a hit or injury to your abdomen, or somewhere close, it can later arise as a disease of the pancreas (later complication).
Other Factors: There are some random things like genetic issues or even a high level of fat in the blood that play a role in how inflamed the pancreas is.
Chronic Pancreatitis
This type of pancreatitis develops over time as a result of recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis. This constant inflammation of the pancreas causes permanent damage to the pancreas; it wouldn’t work as well as it should. Problems like this can lead to diabetes or poor digestion.
Symptoms of Chronic Pancreatitis
- Continuous abdominal pain
- Weight loss
- Greasy or oil stool
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diabetes
Causes of Chronic Pancreatitis
Alcohol abuse: Honestly, this is one of the most common causes. Drinking heavily over time can really take a toll on your pancreas.
Cystic fibrosis: This genetic disorder doesn’t just affect your lungs; it also affects the pancreas.
Autoimmune diseases: Sometimes, your immune system gets confused and attacks the pancreas, causing inflammation that just won’t go away.
Genetic factors: Unfortunately, some people are just born with a higher risk because of their genes, making them more likely to develop the chronic type.
Bottom Line
Pancreatitis is a serious condition that often goes unnoticed until it causes severe complications. There are two types: acute and chronic; and both can seriously mess with your health if they’re not caught early. Acute hits suddenly and can cause really painful symptoms, while chronic builds up over time and can lead to lasting damage. Basically, don’t ignore your health.
