Friday 15 July 2016

When to Consult a Pancreas Specialist ?

The pancreas is an abdominal organ that plays an important role in digestion. Its main function is to convert the food we eat into fuel for the body’s cells. It produces many types of enzymes that break down the major food groups and turn them into fuel. It also helps in regulating blood sugar in the body.

Pancreatic diseases require specialist treatment. A pancreas specialist is a medical professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the pancreas. Pancreas specialists have expertise in pancreatic diseases including Acute Pancreatitis, Chronic Pancreatitis, Pancreatic Cancer and Pancreatic Pseudocyst. If you reside in the Delhi NCR region, you have access to some of the top pancreas specialists in the country, and you can conveniently consult a pancreas specialist in Delhi to treat these pancreatic conditions.

 1. Acute Pancreatitis 

Acute Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that is characterized by gradual or sudden pain in the upper abdomen. Some of the most common causes of Acute Pancreatitis include gallbladder stones, excessive alcohol consumption, high triglyceride levels in the blood and high calcium levels in the blood. It can also be caused by cystic fibrosis, a condition that affects your lungs, liver and pancreas, and viral infections such as mumps. Some of the common symptoms of Acute Pancreatitis include nausea, swollen abdomen and fever.

 2. Chronic Pancreatitis

Chronic Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that gets worse with time. Unlike Acute Pancreatitis, Chronic Pancreatitis is a long term condition that causes permanent damage to the pancreas. This condition impairs an individual’s ability to digest food. Long-term alcohol abuse is the most common cause of Chronic Pancreatitis. Some of the other causes include genetic mutations, familial pancreatitis and blocked pancreatic duct. It can also be caused by auto immune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks its own body.

 3. Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer starts in the tissues of pancreas. In most cases, it is not diagnosed in the initial stages. This is one of the main reasons why it causes many deaths across the world. Also, it advances rapidly. Some of the common symptoms of pancreatic cancer include weight loss, jaundice, dark urine, itching, nausea, abdominal pain and back pain.

 4. Pancreatic Pseudocyst

A Pancreatic Pseudocyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops in the abdomen.  It is mainly caused by sudden pancreatitis or sudden swelling of the pancreas. Some of the common symptoms of Pancreatic Pseudocyst include pain in the abdomen, difficulty in eating and poor digestion.

In any of the above conditions, it is important to consult the best pancreas specialist in Delhi to get timely diagnosis and treatment, as that can certainly improve the chances of overcoming these conditions.