All You Need to Know about Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is swelling or inflammation of the pancreas. Located behind the stomach, near the small intestine, the pancreas is a flat and long gland. The pancreas makes enzymes that aid in digestion and hormones that regulating the way the body processes sugar (glucose). The issue of pancreatitis occurs when the enzymes harm the pancreas causing swelling. It can come and go fast or sometimes, it turns out to be a chronic problem. Treatment will be depending on whether a person has acute or chronic pancreatitis.

Individuals who are suffering from chronic or acute pancreatitis feel upper abdominal pain. However, those with chronic pancreatitis may show swelling on diagnostic scans but otherwise may feel no signs and symptoms. Here are some other symptoms of pancreatitis:

• Indigestion
• Fever
• Hiccups
• Abdominal tenderness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Unintentional weight loss
• Bloating with a swollen abdomen
• Pain around the upper body and the back     

People suffering from chronic pancreatitis conditions may also have steatorrhea, which is a sign of malabsorption. It means that a person is not having all essential nutrients as their pancreas does not produce sufficient digestive enzymes to break down the food.

Types of pancreatitis

There are two major forms of pancreatitis that include the followings:

Chronic – This type of pancreatitis lasts a longer time, often for a few years.

Acute – It only lasts for a few days.

However, both types of conditions are severe and can cause health complications. Pancreatitis can also damage the pancreas permanently. But with proper treatment and medications, one can control the pain and live a normal life.

Causes 

There are several factors that can cause pancreatitis. Some of the most common causes include:

• Heavy alcohol use
• Certain medicines
• Genetic disorders of the pancreas
• Gallstones (digestive fluids that grow firm and create stones in the gallbladder)

Pancreatitis can be a serious health issue and, if people ignore the right treatment, it may cause EPI. People who have risks of growing such issues or have related signs must contact a good pancreas specialist in Delhi and make correct lifestyle changes to maintain the good health of their pancreas.

Common Medical Conditions Diagnosed and Treated by Hepatologists

Hepatology is a prominent and quite crucial branch of medical science. This domain deals with the prevention, study, diagnosis, and treatment of ailments that affect the liver, pancreas, biliary tree, or the pancreas of a person. All these organs are crucial to the overall health and well-being of a person. Hence, it is vital that people consult the best hepatologist in Delhi or some other Indian urban hubs, in case they face any hepatology related problems. 

Here are a few of the most common medical conditions that are usually diagnosed, treated, and managed by hepatologists:

• The diseases of the liver that are caused due to high alcohol consumption which include fatty liver disease, chronic hepatitis, and liver cirrhosis.
• Viral hepatitis infections like hepatitis A, B, C, and E. These ailments are known to affect millions of people across the planet every year. Together Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are responsible for more than 80% of all liver cancer cases. 
• Liver injuries of diverse types, as well as gastrointestinal bleeding caused by portal hypertension which might be linked to any such injuries. 
• The process of liver transplantation and even the various related post-surgical care and treatment that the patient would need. 
• Jaundice, which is also referred to as icterus. In this condition, a greenish and yellowish pigmentation is caused on the skin of the patients due to high bilirubin levels.
• A few types of infections which are common in tropical countries and regions, such as hydatid cyst, kala-azar, and schistosomiasis.
• Pancreatitis, particularly when it is caused due to gallstones or excessive alcohol consumption on the part of the patients. 
• Long-term damage caused to the pancreas or biliary tract due to conditions like cancer, infection, bleeding, or some kind of obstruction. Such damage can be caused due to alcohol as well. 
• Drug metabolism, as well as genetic or metabolic liver disease.

These were only a few of the numerous ailments and diseases that are diagnosed and treated by hepatologists. People must contact the best hepatologist in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai or some other metro city in case they have been suffering from any symptoms of any kind of gastrointestinal or liver disease.