Pancreatitis treatment options according to its severity

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas which is usually caused by drinking alcohol and an unhealthy lifestyle. Pancreatitis is divided into two types, namely acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis. Because the characteristics of the two pancreatitis are different, the types of treatment are different. So, what are the treatment options for pancreatitis based on the type of disease? Here's the explanation.

What are the treatment options for acute pancreatitis?

Acute pancreatitis occurs for a short time or appears suddenly, the condition worsens quickly and can cause complications. Because the disease progresses quickly, people with acute pancreatitis need to be hospitalized immediately.

People with acute pancreatitis usually experience vomiting and a decrease in appetite, which results in a drastic reduction in body fluids. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, this can be overcome by giving intravenous fluids or infusions for the first 12 to 24 hours, as reported by Everyday Health.

Usually, acute pancreatitis that is classified as mild will go away a few days after treatment. However, if acute pancreatitis is severe, the doctor will determine the cause of the pancreatitis first before determining the type of treatment.

1. Surgical cholecystectomy

If acute pancreatitis is caused by a buildup of gallstones, your doctor may recommend a procedure to remove the gallbladder, also known as a cholecystectomy. However, the doctor will look at the extent of possible complications. If the pancreatitis is severe and leads to complications, the doctor will treat the complications first before performing surgery.

2. Suction of fluids in the pancreas

Suction of the fluid in the pancreas is performed if the pancreatitis is caused by an abscess or pseudocyst infection (fluid sac in the pancreas). After all the accumulated fluid has been removed, the remnants of the damaged pancreatic tissue are removed to reduce postoperative bleeding.

3.Endoscopic Cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP)

ERCP is a procedure that combines an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and X-rays to treat blockages in the bile duct or pancreas. If possible, this procedure can be performed to remove the gall bladder that has been damaged by acute pancreatitis.

Ideally, the gallbladder should be removed within two weeks of acute pancreatitis symptoms. Without a gall bladder, you can still carry out activities as usual. However, you may have difficulty digesting fatty or spicy foods.

What are the treatment options for chronic pancreatitis?

Chronic pancreatitis is a long-standing inflammation of the pancreas; can be weeks to years; the condition is persistent, can continue to develop, and never really goes away. Chronic pancreatitis can be caused by drinking alcohol and long-lived unhealthy lifestyles.

As a result, the function of the pancreas has decreased and it interferes with the digestive process, causing a drastic drop in body weight.

There is no specific drug that can cure chronic pancreatitis. However, the signs and symptoms of chronic pancreatitis can be controlled by:

1. Medicines and vitamins

Because people with pancreatitis have difficulty eating and drinking, the doctor will usually provide medicines and vitamins that can aid digestion. Examples of these vitamins are vitamins A, D, E, K, and injections of vitamin B-12 when needed. Meanwhile, chronic pancreatitis drugs can be in the form of paracetamol and ibuprofen, weak opioids such as codeine and tramadol.

2. Operation

Surgery is a chronic pancreatitis treatment to reduce pressure or blockage in the pancreatic duct. If the patient's pancreas is too severe, the doctor may perform a procedure to remove the entire pancreas and an autologous islet transplant.

Islets are a group of cells in the pancreas that play a role in producing hormones, including the hormone insulin. After taking the pancreas, the doctor will take some pancreatic cells to transfer them to the liver. Later, the islet cells will produce hormones in a new place and circulate it to the blood. So, the patient can still produce insulin in the absence of a pancreas.

3. Nerve block injection

When the pancreas is inflamed, the pancreatic nerves will stimulate pain 'buttons' in the spine, causing pain. To treat this, the doctor may order a nerve block injection to numb the pain.

Then, what about the treatment for severe pancreatitis?

About 20 percent of pancreatitis cases are classified as severe or severe. This means that the pancreas organ has experienced complications and the pain they cause continues for up to 48 hours.

One of the most common complications of severe pancreatitis is infection of the blood supply tissue, which causes the sufferer to experience hypovolemia or decreased blood volume in the body. Moreover, sufferers also experience vomiting, sweating, and decreased appetite for food and drink, which aggravates hypovolemia.

The good news is that this infection can be treated with antibiotics. However, dead or damaged tissue should still be removed with ERCP endoscopy.