Pancreatitis :
Pancreatitis refers to inflammation of the pancreas, an organ located between the stomach and the spine. Pancreatitis has two types such as acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis. The chief complaint of pancreatitis is abdominal pain. The presenting complaints of acute pancreatitis include fast heart rate, nausea and vomiting, fast, shallow breathing and fever and the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis are pain after eating, indigestion, unintended weight loss, loss of appetite, fat in stool that leaves an oily film in the toilet and light-headedness (due to blood pressure). The primary factors responsible for causing pancreatitis include gallstones and heavy consumption of alcohol. It also occurs due to other factors such as viral infections, autoimmune diseases, inherited gene mutations, complications of cystic fibrosis, high blood calcium levels, high blood triglyceride levels, ischemia, traumatic injury to the pancreas, certain medications that irritate the pancreas and cancer. The treatment plan for pancreatitis includes taking IV fluids, tube feeding, parenteral nutrition, pain relief, gallstone removal by surgical procedures, pain management and lifestyle modifications.





