It means either the liver or gall bladder is having problems.
2006-07-06 13:47:40
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answer #1
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answered by Know it all 5
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What Is An Inflamed Pancreas
2016-11-14 13:08:00
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answer #2
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answered by jackson 4
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Pancreatitis simply means inflammation of the pancreas. Located in the upper part of the abdomen, behind the stomach, the pancreas plays an important role in digestion. The pancreas is a gland, producing 2 main types of substances: digestive juices and digestive hormones.
Digestive juices include enzymes and bicarbonate. They travel through a small tube called the pancreatic duct to the small intestine (duodenum).
There, the enzymes break down the proteins and fats in the foods that you eat to permit the nutrients to be absorbed.
The bicarbonate neutralizes stomach acid.
Digestive hormones, mainly insulin and glucagon, are released into the bloodstream. They control the body's blood sugar, a major source of energy.
Inflammation of the pancreas has various causes. Once the gland becomes inflamed, the condition can progress to swelling of the gland and surrounding blood vessels, bleeding, infection, and damage to the gland. There, digestive juices become trapped and start "digesting" the pancreas itself. If this damage persists, the gland may not be able to carry out its normal functions.
Pancreatitis may be acute (new, short-term) or chronic (ongoing, long-term). Either type can be very severe, even life threatening. Either type can have serious complications.
Acute pancreatitis usually begins soon after the damage to the pancreas begins. Attacks are typically very mild, but about 20% of them are very severe. An attack lasts for a short time and usually resolves completely as the pancreas returns to its normal state. Some people have only one attack, whereas other people have more than one attack, but the pancreas always returns to its normal state.
Chronic pancreatitis begins as acute pancreatitis. If the pancreas becomes scarred during the attack of acute pancreatitis, it cannot return to its normal state. The damage to the gland continues, worsening over time.
About 80,000 cases of acute pancreatitis occur in the United States each year. Pancreatitis can occur in all ages, although it is very rare in children. Pancreatitis occurs in men and women, although chronic pancreatitis is more common in men than in women.
Alcohol abuse and gallstones are the 2 main causes of pancreatitis, accounting for 80-90% of all cases.
Pancreatitis from alcohol use usually occurs in men who have been long-term alcohol drinkers for at least 5-7 years. Most cases of chronic pancreatitis are due to alcohol abuse. Pancreatitis is often already chronic the first time the person seeks medical attention (usually for severe pain).
Gallstones form from a buildup of material within the gallbladder, another organ in the abdomen. A gallstone can block the pancreatic duct, trapping digestive juices inside the pancreas. Pancreatitis due to gallstones tends to occur most often in women older than 50 years.
The remaining 10-20% of cases of pancreatitis have various causes, including the following:
Medications
Injury (trauma), as might happen in a car wreck or bad fall
Hereditary disease
Surgery and certain medical procedures
Infections such as mumps (not common)
Abnormalities of the pancreas or intestine
High fat levels in the blood
In about 15% of cases of acute pancreatitis and 40% of cases of chronic pancreatitis, the cause is never known.
2006-07-06 12:00:18
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answer #3
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answered by purple 6
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It means that it is swollen. It is called pancreatitis. The pancreas contains enzymes and helps with sugar control. It is a serious problem. Don't take it lightly. You cannot live without a pancreas.
2006-07-06 11:55:23
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answer #4
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answered by Snuffy Smith 5
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It means your pancreas is angry, swollen, red, hot and painful. This can be caused by gall stones and alcoholism.and sometimes high triglycerides.
Your pancreas is very important. If it is swollen, red and hot, They put you in the hospital, don't let you eat or drink, and wait for it to cool off. Then they decide how to procede by either removing your gallbladder, or you stop drinking. and go on a very low fat diet.
2006-07-07 03:08:01
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answer #5
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answered by happydawg 6
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It means your pancreas is swollen
2006-07-06 11:56:32
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answer #6
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answered by Direktor 5
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Acute pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas with necrosis of fat and release of the enzymes into the abdomen, as well as necrosis of pancreatic tissue.
2006-07-06 11:55:23
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answer #7
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answered by ringocox 4
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Do you have anything wrong with your gallbladder? because usually if you have a non functional gallbladder bile can go into the pancreas and cause inflammation
2006-07-06 11:56:49
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answer #8
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answered by Frankie 3
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it means your pancreas is inflamed.
2006-07-06 11:53:53
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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Ouch. I'm not sure, but I'll pray for you.
See a professional opinion, and reduce stress.
2006-07-06 11:53:33
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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