People often take painkillers or different forms of medicine for stomach aches. However, when a person feels severe or chronic pain in their abdominal area, is experiencing continuous headaches, and feels nauseous with a rapid pulse, it is advised that they go to the hospital or visit the emergency room immediately. One of the diseases that the person might have based on the above symptoms is Pancreatitis.
What Is Pancreatitis?
The Pancreas is a large gland located behind the stomach and beside the small intestine. It mainly has two main functions.
The first function is the endocrine function which is the production of hormones called insulin and glucagon that is released into the bloodstream.
Insulin lowers blood glucose concentrations, …show more content…
The exocrine function is the releasing of enzymes by the pancreas into the duodenum, the first 25cm of the small intestine, joining with the bile that is produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
The pancreas produces pancreatic juice and sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO3.
Pancreatic juice contains three hydrolytic enzymes: Pancreatic amylase, which breaks down carbohydrates into disaccharides, Trypsin, which breaks down proteins into polypeptides, and Lipase, which breaks down triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol.
NaHCO3 neutralizes the acid chyme entering the duodenum from the stomach giving the small intestine a basic pH which is necessary for enzymes to function or else they will denature. Here is where the problem occurs. Usually the pancreas does not release sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO3, until reaching the duodenum, however, in the case of pancreatitis, the pancreas initiates its activity and releases sodium bicarbonate before reaching the duodenum and the pancreas begins to digest itself and its own tissues causing the organ to inflame.
Types of …show more content…
Acute: Acute pancreatitis lasts for a short period of time and is caused by sudden occurrences of inflammation to the pancreas. It is usually curable (80% of the time) with the correct treatment although treatment can sometimes result in severe complications.
Severe acute pancreatitis might occur in people who are over 70 years of age, are obese, are alcoholic or smoke. People who have specific genetic mutations also known as MCP-1 mutations are 8 times more likely to develop severe acute pancreatitis. A genetic mutation occurs when the DNA coding of living cells alter resulting in a genetic disorder.
Parasitic Pancreatitis: Intestinal parasites in the common bile duct cause parasitic pancreatitis. If after screening, parasites are found, surgery or other forms of treatment are not necessary as antibiotics can be given to the patient.
Viral Pancreatitis: Viral Pancreatitis is very rare but it can be caused by viral infections such as pneumonia.
Chronic: Patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis may experience chronic pain in their abdomen. It is usually caused by long term damage to the pancreas by
What Is Pancreatitis?
The Pancreas is a large gland located behind the stomach and beside the small intestine. It mainly has two main functions.
The first function is the endocrine function which is the production of hormones called insulin and glucagon that is released into the bloodstream.
Insulin lowers blood glucose concentrations, …show more content…
The exocrine function is the releasing of enzymes by the pancreas into the duodenum, the first 25cm of the small intestine, joining with the bile that is produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
The pancreas produces pancreatic juice and sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO3.
Pancreatic juice contains three hydrolytic enzymes: Pancreatic amylase, which breaks down carbohydrates into disaccharides, Trypsin, which breaks down proteins into polypeptides, and Lipase, which breaks down triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol.
NaHCO3 neutralizes the acid chyme entering the duodenum from the stomach giving the small intestine a basic pH which is necessary for enzymes to function or else they will denature. Here is where the problem occurs. Usually the pancreas does not release sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO3, until reaching the duodenum, however, in the case of pancreatitis, the pancreas initiates its activity and releases sodium bicarbonate before reaching the duodenum and the pancreas begins to digest itself and its own tissues causing the organ to inflame.
Types of …show more content…
Acute: Acute pancreatitis lasts for a short period of time and is caused by sudden occurrences of inflammation to the pancreas. It is usually curable (80% of the time) with the correct treatment although treatment can sometimes result in severe complications.
Severe acute pancreatitis might occur in people who are over 70 years of age, are obese, are alcoholic or smoke. People who have specific genetic mutations also known as MCP-1 mutations are 8 times more likely to develop severe acute pancreatitis. A genetic mutation occurs when the DNA coding of living cells alter resulting in a genetic disorder.
Parasitic Pancreatitis: Intestinal parasites in the common bile duct cause parasitic pancreatitis. If after screening, parasites are found, surgery or other forms of treatment are not necessary as antibiotics can be given to the patient.
Viral Pancreatitis: Viral Pancreatitis is very rare but it can be caused by viral infections such as pneumonia.
Chronic: Patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis may experience chronic pain in their abdomen. It is usually caused by long term damage to the pancreas by