i have a question about pancreaitis.?

Question

My mother-in-law is in the hospital with pancreaitis. what are the affects, and how serious is it? Can she die?(I'm not sure about the spelling, sorry!)

Answer 1

Well you almost got the spelling, it's 'Pancreatitis.'

Yes, it can be fatal in extreme cases, or she may develop diabetes. It's rare to have a single attack and then be totally well again.

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach and close to the upper part of the small intestine. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine through a tube called the pancreatic duct. These enzymes help digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in food. The pancreas also releases the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. These hormones help the body use the glucose it takes from food for energy.

Normally, digestive enzymes do not become active until they reach the small intestine, where they begin digesting food. But if these enzymes become active inside the pancreas, they start "digesting" the pancreas itself.

Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly and lasts for a short period of time and usually resolves. Chronic pancreatitis does not resolve itself and results in a slow destruction of the pancreas. Either form can cause serious complications. In severe cases, bleeding, tissue damage, and infection may occur. Pseudocysts, accumulations of fluid and tissue debris, may also develop. And enzymes and toxins may enter the bloodstream, injuring the heart, lungs, and kidneys, or other organs.

She may have more than one attack and recover completely after each, but acute pancreatitis can be a severe, life-threatening illness with many complications.

Acute pancreatitis is usually caused by gallstones or by drinking too much alcohol, but these aren't the only causes.

If her case is severe she may suffer from dehydration and low blood pressure. Her heart, lungs, or kidneys may fail. If bleeding occurs in the pancreas, she may go into shock or even die.

Her treatment will depend on the severity of the attack. If no kidney or lung complications occur, acute pancreatitis usually improves on its own. Treatment, in general, is designed to support vital bodily functions and prevent complications. A hospital stay will be necessary so that fluids can be replaced intravenously.

If pancreatic pseudocysts occur and are considered large enough to interfere with the pancreas's healing, she might have drained or surgically removed.

Unless the pancreatic duct or bile duct is blocked by gallstones, an acute attack usually lasts only a few days. If her case is severe enough she may require intravenous feeding for 3 to 6 weeks while her pancreas slowly heals. This process is called total parenteral nutrition. However, for mild cases of the disease, total parenteral nutrition offers no benefit.

After leaving the hospital, your mother-in-law should not drink alcohol and not eat large meals. After all signs of acute pancreatitis are gone, the doctor will try to decide what caused it in order to prevent future attacks.

Acute pancreatitis can cause breathing problems. Many people develop hypoxia, which means that cells and tissues are not receiving enough oxygen. Doctors treat hypoxia by giving oxygen through a face mask. Despite receiving oxygen, some people still experience lung failure and require a ventilator which breathes for the patient.

Sometimes a person cannot stop vomiting and needs to have a tube placed in the stomach to remove fluid and air. In mild cases, a person may not eat for 3 or 4 days and instead may receive fluids and pain relievers through an intravenous line.

If an infection develops, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Surgery may be needed for extensive infections. Surgery may also be necessary to find the source of bleeding, to rule out problems that resemble pancreatitis, or to remove severely damaged pancreatic tissue.

Acute pancreatitis can sometimes cause kidney failure. If her kidneys fail, she will need dialysis to help her kidneys remove wastes from her blood.

Answer 2

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. Read up on the issues, but depending on how severe the pancreatitis is or how long it's been a problem will tell whether it's life-threathening illness.

Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly and lasts for a short period of time and usually resolves itself. Chronic pancreatitis does not resolve itself and results in a slow destruction of the pancreas. Either form can cause serious complications. In severe cases, bleeding, tissue damage, and infection may occur. Pseudocysts, accumulations of fluid and tissue debris, may also develop. And enzymes and toxins may enter the bloodstream, injuring the heart, lungs, and kidneys, or other organs.

Answer 3

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas usually caused by alcohol use or gallstones. It is serious because the pancreas makes most of your digestive enzymes & when it becomes inflammed, these enzymes can enter the blood & digest the other organs in your body.

With prompt medical care, pancreatitis can be resolved without too much complication, but your mom will probably be in the hospital for a few weeks.

Answer 4

Primarily, it is brought about through overconsumption of alcohol over a protracted interval (alcohol abuse/alcoholism). Too so much ethanol for your procedure reasons a few disorders within the pancreas, and every builds at the different till you could have a significant situation. Over time, ethanol alterations the chemical composition of pancreatic fluids, inflicting "plugs" of protein that impede the glide of enzymes out of the gland. This leads pancreatic (digestive) enzymes to construct up within the pancreas *and* to turn on in advance (i.e. earlier than they go away the pancreas and input the belly). They then begin...good...digesting your pancreas. Other matters can intent the sickness through growing obstructions within the pancreas/pancreatic duct (inflicting construct-americaof the enzymes, &c). These comprise biliary stones, blunt drive harm, top ldl cholesterol, and hyperparathyroidism. The eMedicine hyperlink has a record of "minor" reasons of the sickness (however they are much rarer). The Y! listing honestly has respectable data at the sickness if you happen to desire extra.

Answer 5

pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas produces insulin and digestive fluids. The most common symptoms with this are pain, nausea and vomiting. It can be caused by alcohol, medications, viruses, and idiopathic meaning no one knows. Repeat episodes can lead to chronic pancreatitis which can be more serious. Uncommonly pancreatitis can be fatal-but again uncommonly.

Answer 6

It depends on what type..chronic or acute.
Direct quote from website below:
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach.....
......Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly and lasts for a short period of time and usually resolves.
Go to website to read more.

Answer 7

My step-mom was in the hospital for about a week due to pancreatitis. She was in a lot of pain. They gave her fluids and it basically healed itself. I don't know the severity of your mother-in-laws but my step mom is a BIG baby and she came out fine! Good luck!

Answer 8

My husband has pancreatitis,it can effect your liver &/or bring on diabetes. It is a 50/50 chance of survival if you don't take care of your self. She should avoid all foods that someone w/ diabetes would avoid. It causes very painful attacts that feel like severe heartburn followed by watery mouth. They test you for it through bloodwork,so the diegnoses is very accurate. I wish her the best of luck!!!!

Answer 9

Please see the webpages for details on Pancreatitis (acute, cronic & abscess)