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Acute Pancreatitis is a sudden and sometimes severe inflammation of the Pancreas.

Varying levels of pain and severity can be seen

Extremely quick onset of abdominal pain – [Acute].

Enzymes from the pancreas that normally help in digestion become dangerous and begin attacking the pancreas itself.

Often more severe cases require a hospital stay

It is 1 of the 2 classifications of Pancreatitis  – the other is  Chronic Pancreatitis.

This condition is seen more often in Men then Women.

In serious cases, necrosis or tissue breakdown of pancreas can occur when destruction of pancreatic tissue occurs.

Symptoms:

-    Nausea
-    Vomiting
–    Fever
-    Chills
-    Pain in stomach that radiates to back
-    Shock
-    Fatigue
-    Sweating
-    Change in bowel movements – can be foul smelling

Causes

-  Many are unknown
-  Alcohol
-  Trauma
-  Gallstones also referred to as Cholelithiasis
-  Auto-immune
-  Virus infection
-  Medications including steroids
-  Pregnancy
-  Cancer
-  others

Diagnosis

Lipase and Amylase can be elevated – enzymes from the pancreas.

CT scan or MRI may be helpful in some cases

Treatment:

Pain medication
.          Morphine

IV and hydration

Decrease or stop oral food

TPN  (total parenteral nutrition) is often used

Antibiotics may be necessary in some cases
.       Floroquinolone
.       Metronidazole
.       Imipenem
.       Meropenem

ERCP  -  (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)

Surgery