The inflammation of your pancreas over a short period of time indicates acute pancreatitis, which is a serious health condition. You may experience symptoms such as severe abdomen pain all of a sudden, diarrhoea and feeling of being sick. Acute pancreatitis occurs when there are some problems with certain enzymes in the pancreas. This condition is often associated with gallstones and alcohol consumption.
Symptoms:
What are the complications of pancreatitis?
Some patients may develop complications. These complications are rare, but they’re more common in people with chronic pancreatitis:
Severe acute pancreatitis is a medical emergency. Severe acute pancreatitis may cause dehydration and low blood pressure. The heart, lungs, or kidneys can fail. If bleeding occurs in the pancreas, shock and even death may follow. People who have chronic pancreatitis may also experience steatorrhea, or fatty stools that give off a foul odor. Steatorrhea can be a sign of malabsorption. This means you’re not getting all of your essential nutrients because your pancreas doesn’t secrete enough digestive enzymes to break down your food.
How to treat acute pancreatitis?
Treatment for acute pancreatitis often involves hospitalization. In acute pancreatitis, the choice of treatment is based on the severity of the attack. If no complications are present, care usually focuses on relieving symptoms and supporting body functions so that the pancreas can recover. Treatment for acute pancreatitis includes intravenous (IV) fluids, and medications for pain, nausea and vomiting.
