Pancreatitis Case Study Summary Pancreas
Running head: COURSE PROJECT-DISEASE SUMMARY
Course Project-Disease Summary
Nicole Pierce
Course Project-Disease Summary
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland that releases digestive juices and digestive hormones. The digestive juices consist of enzymes and bicarbonate. The enzymes help break down fats and calcium in foods. The bicarbonate that your pancreas releases neutralizes the stomach acids. The pancreas is part of the endocrine system, secreting the digestive hormones consisting of insulin and glucagon, which is, released into the blood to control your blood sugar levels. If one of the organs in the endocrine systems fails, it puts a heavy strain on the rest of the body. (Belentine, n.d)
After the pancreas becomes inflamed, this condition progresses to swelling of not only the gland, but of the blood vessels surrounding it, bleeding, infection, and damage to the gland. The enzymes become trapped and then the pancreas begins to digest itself. If damages continue, the pancreas may not be able to perform normal functions. (Belentine, n.d) …show more content…
There are two general types of pancreatitis acute and chronic.
Acute being short-term pain that heals itself and if the pancreas scars during an attack it cannot return to normal causing chronic pancreatitis. (Belentine, n.d) Some people who have acute pancreatitis have only one attack, while others have repeat attacks. Some chronic pancreatitis sufferers are in pain all the time, but some chronic sufferers have no pain. There are complications that come with pancreatitis. These complications are Pseudo cysts, infection, breathing problems, diabetes (type 1 or type 3c), kidney failure, malnutrition, and pancreatic cancer. (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2013 pg.
4)
The treatment options for pancreatic sufferers start with hospitalization to stabilize the pancreas, once stabilized they can treat the underlying cause. The way the treat pancreatitis is dependent on the underlying cause some examples are fasting for a couple days, pain medication, I.V. fluids (dehydration can occur, since your body devotes all energy to repairing the pancreas), a procedure to remove bile duct obstructions, gallbladder surgery, pancreas surgery, or treatment for alcohol dependence. (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2013 pg.7)
Chronic pancreatitis treatment consists of pain management (pain medication, if severe enough surgery to block the nerves), enzymes to help with digestion, and a diet change (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2013 pg. 7). Most chronic pancreatitis sufferers have to have a lifestyle changes, first and foremost, the most common cause of pancreatitis is excessive alcohol consumption so you have to stop drinking alcohol, stop smoking, they have to have low fat diets, and the risk of dehydration is high so they have to drink lots of fluids( Mayo Clinic Staff, 2013 pg. 8). There are alternative methods of treatment to accompany the treatments stated above, which include meditation, relaxation exercises, and yoga (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2013 pg. 9)
References
Mayo Clinic. (07, Sept 2013). Diseases and Conditions Pancreatitis. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatitis/basics/definition/con-20028421 Emedicine Health. (n.d.). Pancreatitis. Retrieved from
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/pancreatitis/article_em.htm
Course Project-Disease Summary
Nicole Pierce
Course Project-Disease Summary
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland that releases digestive juices and digestive hormones. The digestive juices consist of enzymes and bicarbonate. The enzymes help break down fats and calcium in foods. The bicarbonate that your pancreas releases neutralizes the stomach acids. The pancreas is part of the endocrine system, secreting the digestive hormones consisting of insulin and glucagon, which is, released into the blood to control your blood sugar levels. If one of the organs in the endocrine systems fails, it puts a heavy strain on the rest of the body. (Belentine, n.d)
After the pancreas becomes inflamed, this condition progresses to swelling of not only the gland, but of the blood vessels surrounding it, bleeding, infection, and damage to the gland. The enzymes become trapped and then the pancreas begins to digest itself. If damages continue, the pancreas may not be able to perform normal functions. (Belentine, n.d) …show more content…
There are two general types of pancreatitis acute and chronic.
Acute being short-term pain that heals itself and if the pancreas scars during an attack it cannot return to normal causing chronic pancreatitis. (Belentine, n.d) Some people who have acute pancreatitis have only one attack, while others have repeat attacks. Some chronic pancreatitis sufferers are in pain all the time, but some chronic sufferers have no pain. There are complications that come with pancreatitis. These complications are Pseudo cysts, infection, breathing problems, diabetes (type 1 or type 3c), kidney failure, malnutrition, and pancreatic cancer. (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2013 pg.
4)
The treatment options for pancreatic sufferers start with hospitalization to stabilize the pancreas, once stabilized they can treat the underlying cause. The way the treat pancreatitis is dependent on the underlying cause some examples are fasting for a couple days, pain medication, I.V. fluids (dehydration can occur, since your body devotes all energy to repairing the pancreas), a procedure to remove bile duct obstructions, gallbladder surgery, pancreas surgery, or treatment for alcohol dependence. (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2013 pg.7)
Chronic pancreatitis treatment consists of pain management (pain medication, if severe enough surgery to block the nerves), enzymes to help with digestion, and a diet change (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2013 pg. 7). Most chronic pancreatitis sufferers have to have a lifestyle changes, first and foremost, the most common cause of pancreatitis is excessive alcohol consumption so you have to stop drinking alcohol, stop smoking, they have to have low fat diets, and the risk of dehydration is high so they have to drink lots of fluids( Mayo Clinic Staff, 2013 pg. 8). There are alternative methods of treatment to accompany the treatments stated above, which include meditation, relaxation exercises, and yoga (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2013 pg. 9)
References
Mayo Clinic. (07, Sept 2013). Diseases and Conditions Pancreatitis. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatitis/basics/definition/con-20028421 Emedicine Health. (n.d.). Pancreatitis. Retrieved from
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/pancreatitis/article_em.htm