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Acute pancreatitisPublished by Bupa's health information team, July 2008. This factsheet is for people with acute pancreatitis, or who would like information about it. Acute pancreatitis is a condition where your pancreas becomes inflamed. One in five people who have acute pancreatitis have a severe attack and it can be life-threatening. Once treated, an attack of acute pancreatitis should not damage your health long-term, but it can re-occur. If the inflammation continues it can damage the pancreas and cause chronic pancreatitis.
About acute pancreatitisYour pancreas is a 15 centimetre (six inches) long organ which is part of your digestive system. It's found just in front of your spine (back bone), behind your stomach, at the level where the two sides of your rib cage join together. It's connected to the duodenum (small bowel) by a duct (tube) called the pancreatic duct. Your pancreas produces enzymes (digestive juices) which break down food, particularly fatty foods. These digestive juices pass down the pancreatic duct into the duodenum which contains food to be digested. The pancreas also produces insulin, a hormone that helps to keep the level of sugar in your blood constant. If you have acute pancreatitis, the enzymes produced in the pancreas start to digest and damage the pancreas before reaching the duodenum. In the UK, around 10,000 people get acute pancreatitis each year. SymptomsThere are a number of symptoms of acute pancreatitis, including:
Although not always a sign of acute pancreatitis, if you experience these symptoms, you should seek medical advice. ComplicationsThe sooner acute pancreatitis is treated, the less likely complications will occur. Complications can include:
CausesIn eight out of 10 people with acute pancreatitis the causes are:
Other causes include:
One in 10 people who have acute pancreatitis don't have a specific cause. DiagnosisYou may go straight to the hospital or your GP will examine you and ask you about your symptoms. He or she may take a blood test and refer you to a gastroenterologist, a doctor who specialises in conditions of the digestive system, for further tests which may include:
TreatmentMost people will need hospital treatment. Three out of four people who have symptoms find that their symptoms will go within three to five days of treatment, but this varies between individuals. When you recover, your doctor will need to do some tests to determine the cause and try and prevent a further episode. If you have severe acute pancreatitis you may need to stay in the intensive care unit of the hospital. MedicinesYou may be given strong morphine-like painkillers such as pethidine and tramadol for pain. Antibiotics, such as cefuroxine, may be given to reduce infection. They are usually taken for up to 14 days. Antibiotics have not been shown to help prevent damage to the pancreas (pancreatic necrosis). Always ask your doctor or nurse for advice before taking your medicine. Non-surgical treatmentsYou will be given an intravenous drip to stop you becoming dehydrated. To stop the pancreas producing digestive juices which are damaging the pancreas, you will be asked not to eat. A tube may then be passed through your nose to the small bowel, so you get the nutrients you need. Alternatively you may receive nutrients via a drip in your arm (intravenous feeding). Any food that is not emptying from your stomach may also be drained out through a tube in your nose (nasogastric tube). SurgeryMost people don't need surgery, but you may need to if you have either of the following. Pancreatic necrosisIf a large part (more than 30 percent) of your pancreas is damaged, these areas will need to be removed. This can be done either by a surgical operation or by inserting tubes through the skin. Acute pancreatitis caused by gallstonesGallstones are solid lumps or stones that form in the gallbladder or bile duct. You may need to have gallstones or your gallbladder removed during your treatment for acute pancreatitis. This will involve either a surgical operation (open or keyhole) or an ERCP. PreventionAcute pancreatitis can be prevented by avoiding the causes. After having acute pancreatitis you should prevent another attack by eating a low-fat diet, avoiding alcohol and certain medicines. By avoiding the causes you will reduce your risk of acute pancreatitis re-occurring and the risk of developing chronic pancreatitis. Further information
Related topicsSources
This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Dr John E Smithson MD FRCP, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Bristol Royal Infirmary, and by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional. Publication date: July 2008.
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