Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis occurs when digestive enzymes become activated while still in the pancreas, irritating the cells of your pancreas and causing inflammation.

The pancreas is a long, flat gland that sits tucked behind the stomach in the upper abdomen. The pancreas produces enzymes that help digestion and hormones (like insulin) that help regulate the way your body processes sugar (glucose).

What is inflammation? Inflammation is part of our innate immunity. Our immediate reaction to a swelling is to try to bring it down as quickly as possible. Inflammation should not be confused with infection, because it may occur without infection. Without inflammation, infections and wounds would never heal.

Acute pancreatitis, which means it appears suddenly and last for days or it can appear as chronic pancreatitis, which is pancreatitis that occurs over many years. Severe cases can cause life-threating complications.

Signs and symptoms may vary, depending on which type you experience.

Chronic Pancreatitis:

• Upper abdominal pain
• Losing weight without trying
• Oily, smelly stools (steatorrhea)

Acute Pancreatitis:

• Upper abdominal pain
• Abdominal pain that radiates to your back
• Abdominal pain that feels worse after eating
• Fever
• Rapid pulse
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Tenderness when touching the abdominal

Conditions that can lead to pancreatitis include:

• Alcoholism
• Gallstones
• Abdominal surgery
• Certain medications
• Cigarette smoking
• Cystic fibrosis
• Family history of pancreatitis
• High calcium levels in the blood which may be caused an overactive parathyroid gland. The parathyroid is also part of our digestive system.
• High triglyceride levels in the blood
• Infection
• Injury to the abdomen
• Pancreatic cancer

A few complications:

• Pseudocyst. Acute pancreatitis can cause fluid and debris to collect in cystlike pockets in your pancreas. If they rupture it can cause complications such as internal bleeding and infection.
• Infection. Acute pancreatitis can make your pancreas vulnerable to bacteria and infection.
• Kidney failure
• Breathing problems
• Malnutrition. Both acute and chronic pancreatitis can cause your pancreas to produce fewer of the enzymes that are needed to break down and process nutrients from the food you eat.

As a diabetic, you need to take care of your pancreas. Failure to do so can lead to many complications other than pancreatitis.