A 42-year-old member asked:
can waist measurement be an indicator of pancreatitis?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Sidney Vinsonanswered
Gastroenterology 27 years experience
No: There is no relation between waist measurement and the diagnosis of pancreatitis.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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A 45-year-old member asked:
Are there permanent solutions or treatments for pancreatitis?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Barry Rosenanswered
General Surgery 34 years experience
Treat the cause.: Pancreatitis secondary to gallstones can be prevented by gallbladder removal (although this surgery will have no benefit in the treatment of that particular episode of pancreatitis). Alcoholic pancreatitis can often be prevented by abstaining from any future alcohol intake.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
What treatments are available for pancreatitis?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Sidney Vinsonanswered
Gastroenterology 27 years experience
Difficult question: It is really impossible to answer that question without more information. Acute and chronic pancreatitis are treated very differently.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 24-year-old member asked:
Are there alternative therapies for pancreatitis?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Philip Rosenblumanswered
Family Medicine 28 years experience
Depends: The pancreas is a gland in the back of the abdomen which produces enzymes to digest proteins, fats, and carbs. In pancreatitis, the enzymes start working inside the gland and begin digesting it. The first treatment is fasting, to shut off the enzyme production. Sometimes replacement enzymes are given. Removing the gallbladder, if there are gallstones, can prevent another attack.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Which organs are effected by pancreatitis?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Barry Rosenanswered
General Surgery 34 years experience
Potentially, all.: Acute pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas leading to its "autodigestion" by the enzymes that the pancreas produces to break down foods. Mild cases cause minimal inflammation around the pancreas and a temporary effect on the GI tract. In severe cases, factors are released into the bloodstream that has an effect throughout the body similar to what is seen with systemic infection (sepsis).
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Are there cases of pancreatitis which don't have a discernible cause?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Barry Rosenanswered
General Surgery 34 years experience
Yes ("IDIOPATHIC"): App.10% of cases of acute pancreatitis have no known cause. Most people who suffer one episode will not have any recurrences. However, a second episode of idiopathic pancreatitis should lead to a more diligent search. The most useful tests in this circumstance include endoscopic ultrasound and ercp. Many of these cases are believed to be due to small gallstones ("microlithiasis").
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Last updated Aug 4, 2012
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