Question 1

what is pancreatitis?

Accepted Answer

Bad Trouble!: Pancreatitis is known as one of the most painful conditions.  The name refers to a state of inflammation of the pancreas.  The common causes or viral infection, alcohol irritation, triglyceride irritation, and infrequently from a bile stone.  Another common cause is simply "unknown" or idiopathic in medical jargon.  Treatment is usually pain meds, antibiotics and IV fluids.  Nothing by mouth.

Question 2

what causes pancreatitis?

Accepted Answer

Many causes: In pancreatitis, enzymes become activated while still in the pancreas, irritating pancreatic cells, causing inflammation and  signs and symptoms associated with pancreatitis.Many causes: alcoholism, gallstones, abdominal surgery, certain medications, cigarette smoking, high triglycerides, hypercalcemia, family history of pancreatitis, high levels of 
 hyperparathyroidism, infection, trauma, cystic fibrosis.

Question 3

symptoms of pancreatitis?

Accepted Answer

Acute pancreatitis: Upper abdominal pain
    abdominal pain that radiates to your back
    abdominal pain that feels worse after eating
    nausea
    vomiting
    tenderness when touching the abdomen.

Question 4

how can i treat pancreatitis?

Accepted Answer

Bowel Rest: Pancreatitis is usually treated by allowing nothing to be taken by mouth, adequate fluid administration and pain medication, usually given intravenously.  Because it is diagnosed by way of blood tests and x-rays, i think it is safe to assume that most people cannot diagnose it on their own, but if you have any suspicion of having it, i'd say go straight to an emergency room.

Question 5

how dangerous is pancreatitis?

Accepted Answer

Variable: Most of the time pancreatitis is mild & resolves with medical help. Rarely pancreatitis can be severe and cause pancreas cyst or necrosis, or even life threatening infections. Also rarely can affect other organs such as the lung, if severe pancreatitis.

Question 6

what is chemical pancreatitis?

Accepted Answer

Can mean different: Things to different persons. Some docs refer to a chemical pancreatitis as an abnormal elevation in serum pancreatic enzyme testing(amylase/lipase) without clinical signs like nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain(clinical pancreatitis).  Some doctors refer to a chemic pancreatitis as pancreatitis that is due to a chemical exposure.  I've seen it used both ways.

Question 7

can you die from pancreatitis?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Acute pancreatitis has an appreciable mortality.

Question 8

can pancreatitis be hereditary?

Accepted Answer

Hereditary Pancreatitis: Sure. The gene responsible is the trypsinogen gene on chromosome #7.

Question 9

what does pancreatitis feel like?

Accepted Answer

Pancreatitis pain: Typical acute pancreatitis pain is in the upper part of the abdomen, sharp, and severe in intensity.  The pain may feel like it is moving directly to the back.  Nausea and vomiting is common.  A fever can also accompany acute pancreatitis.

Question 10

can pain be a sign of pancreatitis?

Accepted Answer

Pancreatitis: Yes mid- epigastric pain with radiation to back can be present in pancreatitis.

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