Symptoms of severe pancreatitis

Written by Wei Shi Liang
Intensive Care Unit
Updated on September 26, 2024
00:00
00:00

The main symptom of severe pancreatitis is abdominal pain. This type of abdominal pain manifests as intense pain in the upper-middle abdomen, which radiates to the back and both sides of the body. The pain is widespread and severe, with about 95% of patients experiencing abdominal pain. Onset often occurs following binge eating or excessive drinking, and the pain worsens after eating. Another symptom is abdominal distension, which is also a common symptom. It is caused by extensive effusion in the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneum, as well as intestinal paralysis. Fever in the early stage of the disease is also a common symptom, resulting from the absorption of a large amount of necrotic tissue. Fever occurring in the later stages is often caused by infections triggered within the abdominal cavity.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wei Shi Liang
Intensive Care Unit
1min 22sec home-news-image

Rescue of severe pancreatitis

Severe pancreatitis involves severe illness impacting multiple systems and organs across the body. The rescue of severe pancreatitis should be based in the ICU, with multidisciplinary cooperation. The first step is early fluid resuscitation, with crystalloid solution preferred, and it should be rapidly completed within 48 hours of onset. The second step involves support for circulation and respiration. The third step involves the maintenance of organ functions and the use of blood purification treatments. Early use of blood purification in acute pancreatitis can remove inflammatory mediators, regulate immune dysfunctions, and protect organ functions, potentially extending the survival time of patients with severe pancreatitis. The fourth step includes monitoring intra-abdominal pressure and preventing and treating abdominal compartment syndrome. Further treatments mainly include the use of agents to inhibit pancreatic enzymes and platelet activation, as well as early jejunal nutrition. Additionally, prophylactic use of antibiotics is required, and in cases of biliary acute pancreatitis, ERCP or sphincterotomy should be performed. The final approach is surgical treatment, which is reserved for patients who do not respond to or have poor results from conservative treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Xue Qing
Gastroenterology
25sec home-news-image

What fruits can you eat with pancreatitis?

Patients with pancreatitis can eat some mild fruits, such as apples, bananas, peaches, kiwis, and strawberries. It is best to avoid more acidic fruits like oranges, lemons, and hawthorns. For cooler fruits, they can be soaked in warm water for a certain period before eating. Also, regardless of the type of food, fruit, or daily diet, it is important not to overeat.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Qiang
Intensive Care Unit
1min 25sec home-news-image

How do you get acute severe pancreatitis?

There are many causes of acute severe pancreatitis, and the mechanisms of onset are not completely the same. Biliary pancreatitis is caused by small gallstones falling into the bile duct, becoming lodged at the distal end of the duct. At this time, the opening of the pancreatic duct is blocked, causing a disorder in pancreatic juice secretion, increasing pancreatic duct pressure, and spilling out of the pancreatic duct. This can corrode pancreatic cells and other abdominal organ cells. Alcohol and drug-induced pancreatitis is due to the direct damage of alcohol and drugs to the pancreatic cells, causing the leakage of pancreatic secretions. Overeating-induced pancreatitis is caused by consuming too much food at once, especially a high-fat diet, leading to a massive secretion of pancreatic juice. If there is an obstacle in the expulsion of this juice, it can also lead to pancreatitis. Hyperlipidemic pancreatitis is caused by excessively high blood lipid levels, which form blockages. These lipids obstruct the secretion of the pancreatic duct, causing pancreatitis. In all types of pancreatitis, the leakage of pancreatic secretions corrodes the pancreatic cells and these secretions enter the abdominal cavity, corroding abdominal organs and leading to a series of severe inflammatory responses and potentially leading to abdominal infections.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wei Shi Liang
Intensive Care Unit
53sec home-news-image

Can severe pancreatitis be cured?

Severe pancreatitis can be cured, but because its complications are severe, it may be life-threatening. Severe pancreatitis is caused by a variety of etiologies leading to local inflammation, necrosis, and infection of the pancreas, accompanied by systemic inflammatory responses and persistent organ failure. Currently, comprehensive treatment for severe pancreatitis has become very mature, but its mortality rate is still as high as 17%. Currently, with a deeper understanding of the pathology, physiology, and disease progression of severe pancreatitis, there have been advances in treatment modalities, treatment concepts, and means of organ function support for severe pancreatitis. However, the mortality rate for severe pancreatitis remains high, though it can still be cured.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
47sec home-news-image

Can pancreatitis be contagious?

Pancreatitis is not contagious; it is a serious digestive system disease. The main causes of pancreatitis include gallstones, binge eating, alcohol abuse, and consumption of greasy foods among other factors. Once an attack of pancreatitis occurs, the patient must immediately refrain from eating and drinking, undergo gastrointestinal decompression, and have gastric juices, acids, and stomach contents suctioned out. Meanwhile, treatments for pancreatitis may involve the use of somatostatin or octreotide to inhibit the secretion of pancreatic juice, as well as the use of third-generation cephalosporins or quinolone antibiotics for anti-infection treatment. (Please use medications under the guidance of a physician.)