Treatment of Pancreatitis
Treatment of Pancreatitis
To check for acute pancreatitis, the doctor will probably press on your abdominal area to see if it is tender and check for low blood pressure, low-grade fever, and rapid pulse. Blood will be tested for abnormal levels of pancreatic enzymes, white blood cells, blood sugar, calcium, and liver function. Ultrasound tests or CT scans may show the extent of inflammation, causes such as bile duct problems and gallstones, or complications like cysts.
To diagnose chronic pancreatitis, abdominal X-rays may show whether the pancreas is calcified. Your doctor will take blood samples and check the stool for excess fat, a sign that the pancreas is no longer producing enough enzymes to process fat. You may be given a stimulation test called a pancreatic function test to see how well the pancreas releases digestive enzymes. You may also be screened for diabetes.
Proctitis
Proctitis is defined as inflammation of the anus (the opening) and lining of the rectum (lower part of the intestine leading to the anus). Symptoms of proctitis can vary greatly. One may at first have only minor problems. Proctitis affects the last 6 inches of the rectum and can cause the following: Pain during a bowel movement Soreness in the anal and rectal area Feeling that you didn't completely empty the bowels after a bowel movement Involuntary spasms and cramping during bowel...
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Initial treatment of acute pancreatitis includes pain control, hydration, and nutritional support. If you have an attack of acute pancreatitis, your doctor will feed and hydrate you intraveneously. You may receive strong drugs for pain. You may have to have your stomach drained with a tube placed through the nose.
If your pancreatitis is caused by gallstones or an obstructed bile or pancreatic duct, you may need surgery or have an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) done once your symptoms have subsided. An ERCP is a procedure that involves the insertion of a tube down your throat into the stomach and upper intestines to the place where the bile duct and pancreatic duct drain. A small incision is made to remove stones in the bile duct or a plastic tube called a stent is inserted into the ducts to relieve the obstruction.
If you have chronic pancreatitis, the doctor will focus on treating pain -- guarding against possible addiction to prescription painkillers -- and watching for complications that affect digestion. You may be placed on a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy to restore the digestive tract's ability to digest nutrients; this will also likely reduce the frequency of new attacks.
You may have to avoid fatty foods and will have to abstain from drinking alcohol. Injection of anesthetics into the nerves near the spine may give pain relief. If the pain does not respond to medication or nerve blocks, the damaged pancreatic tissue may be surgically removed, but only as a last resort.
Understanding Pancreatitis Treatment
In this article
How Do I Know if I Have Pancreatitis?
To check for acute pancreatitis, the doctor will probably press on your abdominal area to see if it is tender and check for low blood pressure, low-grade fever, and rapid pulse. Blood will be tested for abnormal levels of pancreatic enzymes, white blood cells, blood sugar, calcium, and liver function. Ultrasound tests or CT scans may show the extent of inflammation, causes such as bile duct problems and gallstones, or complications like cysts.
To diagnose chronic pancreatitis, abdominal X-rays may show whether the pancreas is calcified. Your doctor will take blood samples and check the stool for excess fat, a sign that the pancreas is no longer producing enough enzymes to process fat. You may be given a stimulation test called a pancreatic function test to see how well the pancreas releases digestive enzymes. You may also be screened for diabetes.
Recommended Related to Digestive Disorders
Proctitis
Proctitis is defined as inflammation of the anus (the opening) and lining of the rectum (lower part of the intestine leading to the anus). Symptoms of proctitis can vary greatly. One may at first have only minor problems. Proctitis affects the last 6 inches of the rectum and can cause the following: Pain during a bowel movement Soreness in the anal and rectal area Feeling that you didn't completely empty the bowels after a bowel movement Involuntary spasms and cramping during bowel...
Read the Proctitis article > >
What Are the Treatments for Pancreatitis?
Initial treatment of acute pancreatitis includes pain control, hydration, and nutritional support. If you have an attack of acute pancreatitis, your doctor will feed and hydrate you intraveneously. You may receive strong drugs for pain. You may have to have your stomach drained with a tube placed through the nose.
If your pancreatitis is caused by gallstones or an obstructed bile or pancreatic duct, you may need surgery or have an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) done once your symptoms have subsided. An ERCP is a procedure that involves the insertion of a tube down your throat into the stomach and upper intestines to the place where the bile duct and pancreatic duct drain. A small incision is made to remove stones in the bile duct or a plastic tube called a stent is inserted into the ducts to relieve the obstruction.
If you have chronic pancreatitis, the doctor will focus on treating pain -- guarding against possible addiction to prescription painkillers -- and watching for complications that affect digestion. You may be placed on a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy to restore the digestive tract's ability to digest nutrients; this will also likely reduce the frequency of new attacks.
You may have to avoid fatty foods and will have to abstain from drinking alcohol. Injection of anesthetics into the nerves near the spine may give pain relief. If the pain does not respond to medication or nerve blocks, the damaged pancreatic tissue may be surgically removed, but only as a last resort.
