Re: New to Board and this whole disease

[Guest guest]

Pancreatitis

Also Listed As: Pancreas, Inflammation of

Signs and Symptoms

What Causes It?

Who's Most At Risk?

What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

Treatment Options

Treatment Plan

Drug Therapies

Surgical and Other Procedures

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Prognosis/Possible Complications

Following Up

Supporting Research

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, a glandular organ that

produces several enzymes to aid in the digestion of food, as well as the

hormone insulin, which controls the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood.

The pancreas is located in the upper abdomen, behind the stomach; a duct

connects it to the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine.

Pancreatic enzymes and bile produced by the liver enter the duodenum at the

same location.

Pancreatitis may be either acute (sudden and severe) or chronic. Both

acute and chronic pancreatitis can cause bleeding and tissue death in or

around the pancreas. In a single episode of acute pancreatitis, the gland

usually heals without causing functional or structural changes, but in the

case of recurring pancreatitis, long-term damage is common. In chronic

pancreatitis, smoldering attacks result in a slow deterioration of the

structure of the pancreas and loss of pancreatic function.

Necrotizing pancreatitis (which involves death of pancreatic tissue)

can lead to cyst-like pockets and abscesses. Because of the location of the

pancreas, inflammation spreads easily. In severe cases, fluid containing

toxins and enzymes leaks from the pancreas through the lining of the

abdomen. This can damage blood vessels and lead to internal bleeding, which

may be life threatening.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Signs and Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of pancreatitis include the following:

a.. Severe, ongoing, sharp abdominal pain, often radiating to the

back

b.. Nausea and vomiting

c.. Fever

d.. Sweating

e.. Abdominal tenderness

f.. Rapid heart rate

g.. Rapid breathing

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

What Causes It?

There are several possible causes of pancreatitis:

a.. Disease of the biliary tract. The biliary tract is the system of

organs and ducts (including the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts) that

creates, transports, stores, and releases bile into the duodenum for

digestion. The formation of stones in the biliary tract can block the main

duct of the pancreas as it enters the duodenum.

b.. Heavy alcohol use over a long period of time, which can raise

protein levels in pancreatic juices. Over time, the protein can form plugs,

blocking small pancreatic ducts. Alcohol also allows enzymes to pass more

easily through duct walls and damage the pancreas. Biliary tract stones and

alcoholism are the most common causes of pancreatitis.

c.. The drugs azathioprine, sulfonamides, corticosteroids,

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), and tetracyclines

d.. Infection with mumps, hepatitis virus, rubella, Epstein-Barr

virus (the cause of mononucleosis), and cytomegalovirus

e.. Abnormalities in the structure of the pancreas or the pancreatic

or bile ducts, including pancreatic cancer

f.. High levels of triglycerides (fats) in the blood

g.. Surgery to the abdomen, heart, or lungs that temporarily cuts

off blood supply to the pancreas, damaging tissue

h.. Injury resulting in compression of the pancreas against the

spine

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Who's Most At Risk?

These conditions or characteristics increase the risk for

pancreatitis:

a.. Biliary tract disease

b.. Binge alcohol use and chronic alcoholism

c.. Recent surgery

d.. Family history of high triglycerides

e.. Age (most common between ages 35 and 64)

African-Americans are at higher risk than Caucasians and Native

Americans.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

Your healthcare provider will examine you for signs and symptoms of

pancreatitis. He or she may also perform blood tests, take X rays, and use

ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scans, and other procedures to

determine the severity of your condition and decide which treatment options

are most appropriate.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Treatment Options

Treatment Plan

Mild edematous pancreatitis (marked by buildup of fluid in the

pancreas) can usually be treated with intravenous fluids and by fasting,

along with careful monitoring by the healthcare provider. Nasogastric

suction (suction of the stomach using a tube inserted through the nose)

reduces stomach secretions and prevents stomach contents from reaching the

small intestine. This procedure is sometimes used although there is no

proven benefit. Parenteral nutrition (nutrients given through the veins,

muscles, or skin rather than orally) may be needed if the patient does not

adequately recover within several days. For those with low blood pressure,

low urine output, low levels of oxygen in the blood, or increased levels of

red blood cells, more aggressive therapy may be required. For pancreatitis

from high triglycerides, treatment includes weight loss, exercise,

fat-restricted diet, control of blood sugar for diabetics, and avoidance of

alcohol and medications that can raise triglycerides, such as thiazide

diuretics and beta-blockers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Drug Therapies

Painkillers such as meperidine may be prescribed. Antibiotics, such as

ampicillin, ceftriaxone, and imipenem, may be given to treat or prevent

infection in some cases.

Enzyme Replacement: Oral intake of exocrine pancreatic enzymes are of

key importance in the treatment of mal-digestion in chronic pancreatitis

with pancreatic insufficiency. It has been studied for the therapeutic

effectiveness of a conventional and an acid-protected enzyme preparation,

and an acid-stable fungal enzyme preparation in the treatment of severe

pancreatogenic steatorrhea. The results showed that a supplemental enzyme

preparation is best for patients with chronic pancreatitis and those who

underwent Whipple's procedure (a surgical procedure performed on pancreatic

cancer patients), while patients with an intact upper gastrointestinal tract

fare best with an acid-protected porcine pancreatic enzyme preparation.

Pancreatin is secreted from the pancreas and provides potent

concentrations of the digestive enzymes protease, amylase, and lipase.

Pancreatin is sold as a drug to treat those with pancreatic insufficiency.

Pancreatin efficacy was demonstrated in a study conducted on patients who

took pancreatin to maintain postoperative digestion. The effects of

supplementation were determined by measuring the postoperative intestinal

absorption and nutritional status in a randomized trial with patients

receiving pancreatin or placebo. Before the trial, patients showed abnormal

digestion of fats and protein, and total energy was low at baseline and 3

weeks after surgery. Pancreatin supplementation improved fat and protein

absorption as well as improving nitrogen balance. However, those patients

taking a placebo had worsened absorption after the surgery. The data suggest

that long-term postoperative pancreatic enzyme supplementation is both

efficacious and necessary in surgery patients who suffered from

pancreatitis.

There are many forms of Pancreatic Enzymes on the Market. Consult your

Doctor for which one is best for you and which dosage you should be taking

before meals. For more information on types and dosages of Pancreatic

Enzymes, Click Here

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surgical and Other Procedures

Different types of surgical procedures may be necessary, depending on

the cause of the pancreatitis. With infected pancreatic necrosis (tissue

death), surgery is virtually always required to remove damaged and infected

tissue. Surgery may also be required to drain an abscess. For hemorrhagic

(bleeding) pancreatitis, surgery will stop the bleeding and help restore

pancreatic function. For chronic pancreatitis with pain that won't respond

to treatment, a section of the pancreas may need to be removed. If the

pancreatitis is a result of gallstones, a procedure called endoscopic

retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) may be necessary. In ERCP, a

specialist inserts a tube-like instrument through the mouth and down into

the duodenum where he or she can gain access to the pancreatic and biliary

ducts.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

A number of studies have explored the role of oxidative stress in

pancreatitis. Oxidative stress results from the production of free radicals,

which are by-products of metabolism that are harmful to cells in the body.

Several ways to neutralize these deleterious effects have evolved over time.

Antioxidants, for example, help rid the body of free radicals. Insufficient

antioxidant levels in the blood (including reduced amounts of vitamin A,

vitamin E, selenium, and carotenoids), though, may lead to chronic

pancreatitis due to the destructive effects of increased free radical

activity. Antioxidant deficiency and the risk of developing pancreatitis may

be particularly relevant in areas of the world with low soil concentrations

or low dietary intake of antioxidants. In addition, the cooking and

processing of foods may destroy antioxidants. Alcohol-induced pancreatitis

is linked to low levels of antioxidants as well. There is also some evidence

that antioxidant supplements may eliminate or minimize oxidative stress and

help alleviate pain from chronic pancreatitis.

For more information on Alternative medicine, go here:

http://www.alternativemedicine.com/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nutrition

As explained, low levels of antioxidants in the blood may make an

individual more prone to develop pancreatitis; at the same time, someone who

already has pancreatitis is more likely to develop deficiencies of the

following nutrients:

a.. Magnesium - particularly in the case of chronic alcoholism

b.. Methionine

c.. Selenium

d.. Vitamin A

e.. Vitamin C

f.. Vitamin E

Some studies do suggest that taking these nutrients mentioned,

particularly the latter five each of which has antioxidant properties, can

reduce the pain from which people with pancreatitis suffer and recover more

readily from the condition. Other potentially valuable supplements to take

include:

a.. Vitamin B12; levels may be low with pancreatitis; works best in

this case if given by injection.

b.. Soybeans; extracts of soybeans known as polyunsaturated

phosphatidylcholines (PCs) work as antioxidants and have demonstrated

prevention of damage to the pancreas in animal studies.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Herbs

a.. Emblica officinalis (Indian gooseberry) is a traditional

Ayurvedic medicinal plant used to treat pancreatic disorders. It is the

richest natural source of vitamin C. Animal studies further suggest that

this herb can be used to prevent development of pancreatitis.

Individual case reports suggest that traditional Chinese medicines are

effective for the prevention and treatment of pancreatitis including the

following which are also used commonly as both Western and Ayurvedic

treatments of gastrointestinal disorders:

a.. Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

b.. Ginger root (Zingiber officinale)

c.. Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng),

d.. Peony root(Paeonia officinalis)

e.. Cinnamon Chinese bark (Cinnamomum verum)

Animal studies further suggest the value of using these herbs in

combination along with the following herbs:

a.. Bupleurum (Bupleri falcatum L)

b.. Pinelliae tuber (Pinelliae ternata)

c.. Chinese skullcap (Scutellariae baicalensis)

d.. Jujube (Zizyphi jujuba)

To determine the regimen for each individual, it is best to see a

skilled herbalist or licensed and certified practitioner of traditional

Chinese medicine, particularly because these herbs often work best in

combination.

Reflexology or Massage Therapy

Reflexology is based on a system of points on the hands and feet

thought to correspond or " reflex " to other areas of the body. The technique

is thus specific to particular body parts (most often the feet), but is

intended to assist the entire body

Massage Therapy has been described as " the healing touch. " Often

referred to as bodywork or somatic therapy, massage therapy refers to the

application of various techniques to the muscular structure and soft tissues

of the body. It consists of a group of manual techniques that include

applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, and/or causing movement of or

to the body, using primarily the hands. The massage therapist can also use

other areas of the body, such as the forearms, elbows or feet. These

techniques affect the musculoskeletal, circulatory-lymphatic, nervous, and

other systems of the body.

The goal of massage therapy is fairly straightforward: to positively

affect the health and well being of the client. Numerous physical and mental

health benefits have been attributed to massage, including reducing stress

and aiding in relaxation; reducing the heart rate; lowering blood pressure;

increasing blood circulation and lymph flow; relaxing the muscles; reducing

chronic pain and improving joint range of motion. Specifically, people have

found that therapeutic massage can help manage a variety of conditions:

For more information on Refexology, Massage Therapy and other forms of

Alternative Healing Click Here

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Acupuncture

The value of acupuncture for treating pancreatitis is controversial.

There are case reports stating that acupuncture has helped relieve pain from

pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. But a review of several studies finds

that results of acupuncture and electroacupuncture (small electrical

currents applied through acupuncture needles) for pancreatitis are mixed

with some concluding that there is no benefit with the addition of either of

these modalities for people with pancreatitis.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prognosis/Possible Complications

Possible complications of pancreatitis include infection of the

pancreas; cyst-like pockets that can become infected, bleed, or rupture; the

failure of several organs (heart, kidney, lungs) and shock due to toxins in

the blood; and diabetes. In mild edematous pancreatitis, with inflammation

in the pancreas alone, the prognosis is excellent. Fewer than 5% of people

with this form die. With severe tissue death and bleeding, or where

inflammation is not confined to the pancreas, the death rate is 10 to 50% or

higher, due to infection and other serious complications. In chronic

pancreatitis, recurring attacks tend to become more severe.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Following Up

Patients with chronic pancreatitis should eat a low-fat diet, abstain

from alcohol, and avoid abdominal trauma to prevent acute attacks and

further damage. Those with high triglyceride levels should lose weight,

exercise, and avoid medications, such as thiazide diuretics and

beta-blockers, that increase triglyceride levels. Given the recent reports

suggesting that oxidative stress may contribute to the development of

pancreatitis and that antioxidant supplementation may be of some benefit,

healthcare providers may begin recommending antioxidant nutrients to their

patients with pancreatitis.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

New to Board and this whole disease

> Hello to all, was just recently diagnosed with Pancreatitis, at

> least that is the docs best guess at this point. Came in hoping to

> learn what to expect and what types of questions I need to be

> asking. Kind of a little antsy at this point. Have never had

> any " real " health issues just losts of the " usual " stuff for the

> type of the kind of fool that leads of with " Ya' know I bet I could

> make it..... "

>

> Anyway, at this point, I'm so darned ignorant and overwhelmed, that

> I'm not even sure where to start...any info greatly appreciated at

> this point.

>

> Thanks in Advance!!

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>