The pancreas is a long, flat gland located behind the stomach in the upper abdomen that produces enzymes that help break down food and hormones that control blood sugar levels. When these digestive enzymes are activated while still in the pancreas, they irritate the cells of the pancreas, producing an acute inflammation of the pancreas, which is known as pancreatitis. This time, Dr. Lang Dai Chu, gastroenterologist at Clinica Ricardo Palma, will give us more information.

Symptoms

The main symptoms are:

• Sudden onset of moderate to severe abdominal pain in the upper abdomen (above the navel) radiating to the back
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever

Risk factors and causes

Among the causes and risk factors that can generate pancreatitis are:

• Vesicular lithiasis (gall stones)
• Obesity
• Excessive fat intake
• Excessive alcohol intake
• High triglycerides (above 1,000 mg/dl)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Some types of medications

Complications

Pancreatitis can cause the following complications:

• Pancreatic pseudo cyst
• Malnutrition
• Mellitus diabetes
• Pancreatic cancer in case the inflammation is chronic
• Problems in other organs, such as: lungs, kidneys or heart

Treatment

The treatment consists of hospitalization of the patient so that he can be monitored and thus control all his vital functions (blood pressure, temperature, saturation, respiratory rate and heart rate). On the other hand, you must receive intravenous analgesics and remain without food, either liquid or solid, until the pain subsides.

Dr. Lang Dai Chu
Gastroenterologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma