Tag Archives: pancreas

Pancreatitis

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Pancreatitis is the inflammation or swelling of the pancreas. This may happen when digestive juices or enzymes attack the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland on the left side of your belly that lies behind your stomach. The pancreas’ two main functions are:

  • To make enzymes to send to your small intestines. These enzymes help break down food.
  • To make hormones insulin and glucagon, sending them into your bloodstream. These hormones control your body’s blood sugar level.

Pancreatitis can be either acute or chronic. Signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis include:

  • Pain in the upper belly
  • Pain in the upper belly that radiates to the back
  • Tenderness when touching the belly
  • Fever
  • Rapid pulse
  • Upset stomach
  • Vomiting

Signs and symptoms of chronic pancreatitis include:

  • Pain in the upper belly
  • Belly pain that feels worse after eating
  • Losing weight without trying
  • Oily, smelly stools

Several conditions can lead to acute pancreatitis, including:

  • Blockage in the bile duct caused by gallstones
  • Heavy alcohol use
  • Certain medicines
  • High triglyceride levels in the blood
  • High calcium levels in the blood
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Injuries from trauma or surgery

Conditions that can lead to chronic pancreatitis include:

  • Damage from repeated acute pancreatitis
  • Heavy alcohol use
  • Inherited genes linked to pancreatitis
  • High triglyceride levels in the blood
  • High calcium levels in the blood

Sometimes a cause for pancreatitis is never found. This is called idiopathic pancreatitis.

Many factors can increase your risk of pancreatitis, including:

  • Excessive alcohol use
  • Cigarette smoking
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Family history of pancreatitis

Pancreatitis can cause several serious complications that include:

  • Kidney failure
  • Breathing problems
  • Infection
  • Pseudocyst
  • Malnutrition
  • Diabetes
  • Pancreatic cancer

When diagnosing pancreatitis, your healthcare provider will ask questions about your health history and symptoms, give you a general physical, and check for pain or tenderness in your belly. They may also administer tests and procedures including:

  • Blood tests
  • Ultrasounds
  • CT scans
  • MRIs
  • Endoscopic ultrasound
  • Stool tests

There is no specific medicine to treat pancreatitis. Treatment will begin with a hospital stay to manage any symptoms and complications. Treatment can include:

  • Pain medicines
  • Intravenous fluids
  • Nutrition plans

When the symptoms and complications are under control, other treatments are used to treat any underlying causes, including:

  • Procedures to open bile ducts
  • Gallbladder surgery
  • Pancreas procedures
  • Treatment for alcohol dependence
  • Changes in medicine

If you or anyone you know is experiencing signs or symptoms of pancreatitis, you can schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist at Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center, by calling 718-670-5486.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

What is Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency??

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Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a condition affecting the pancreas, an organ located in the abdomen that plays an essential role in converting the food we eat into fuel for the body’s cells. The pancreas has two main functions: it helps with digestion, and it regulates blood sugar.

The pancreas produces enzymes that break down food and keep digestion moving properly. For those with EPI, the pancreas does not make enough of these enzymes, which prevents the absorption of nutrients and disrupts digestion.

There are numerous gastro-intestinal symptoms of EPI, ranging from mild to extreme including:

  • Gas
  • Bloating
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Greasy, oily stools
  • Foul-smelling stools
  • Unexplained weight loss

Other symptoms can include fatigue, dizziness, dry skin, brittle nails, hair loss, depression, irritability, and problems with memory and concentration. These can occur when the body does not absorb the necessary fats and nutrients from food.

EPI is often the result of a variety of conditions, such as

  • Pancreatitis
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Celiac disease
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Diabetes

There are diagnostic tests your doctor can perform if he or she suspects you have EPI. Once EPI is confirmed, the most common form of treatment is pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). PERT supplements are capsules that contain a mixture of digestive enzymes that those with EPI cannot produce to help them break down fat and assist with digestion.

It is also recommended that people with EPI eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy proteins. It is also important not to avoid foods with fats, as these are essential to maintaining a healthy weight. However, it is best to stick with healthy fats, like salmon, avocado, and nuts rather than unhealthy trans or saturated fats found in red meats, dairy products, and fried foods.

To schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist at Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call 718-670-5486.

 

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Understanding Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)

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Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a condition that affects digestion due to an inability to break down food properly. This occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough of the enzymes needed to break down and absorb nutrients.

Enzymes speed up chemical reactions in your body. The enzymes made by your pancreas move into your small intestine, where they help break down the food you eat. When you have EPI, you don’t get the nutrition you need because your body can’t absorb fats and and minerals from foods.

Some of the causes of EPI can include:

  • Chronic pancreatitis – A condition marked by frequent inflammation of the pancreas
  • Previous surgery of your pancreas, stomach, or intestines.
  • Existence of other conditions such as Crohn’s Disease, celiac disease, Cystic fibrosis or Shwachman-Diamond syndrome

Symptoms of EPI can include:

  • Pain or tenderness in the belly
  • Bad-smelling bowel movements
  • Diarrhea
  • Gas
  • Feeling full
  • Weight loss
  • Pain in your bones

Several tests can help diagnose EPI, including: blood tests to determine if you are getting enough vitamins in your diet, fecal tests to check for the amount of fat in your bowel movements and imaging tests to see if your pancreas is inflamed.

The right diet is very important for managing EPI. A dietitian can help you choose the foods that keep your energy level up and give you the nutrition you need.  Some other tips include eating up to six small meals per day, avoiding alcohol, and taking vitamin supplements.

Apart from a healthy diet, the main treatment for EPI is pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). You take prescription pills that replace the enzymes your pancreas isn’t making. These enzymes break down your food so you can more easily digest and absorb it. You may also need to take an antacid to keep your stomach from breaking down pancreatic enzymes before they can start to work.

If you are experiencing symptms of EPI and would like to speak with a doctor at Flushing Hospital, please call our Ambulatory Care Center at 718-670-5486

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.