Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a very common condition in people that are often characterized by having some sort of acute inflammation in the pancreas. The pancreas is basically a gland in the abdominal section of the body and it is located right behind your stomach situated in the upper abdomen.

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What is Pancreatitis?

The pancreas that is in the bodies of people has multiple functions. Due to the problem of pancreatitis, as in the inflammation occurring in the pancreas, they are not able to function properly.

One of the main functions of the pancreas is the secretion of enzymes and hormones that help in the process of digestion as well as the regulation of the blood sugar level and the metabolism level as well. Digestive enzymes that work in the body will be released with the help of the pancreatic duct situated in the body. These enzymes are then released to the small intestine and this is where they have their activation in order to assist in the breaking down of proteins and fats. Then the digestive hormones such as glucagon and insulin will be released from the pancreas into the blood of the people where they help in regulating the sugar level in the blood.

According to the pathophysiology of pancreatitis, there are two different kinds. There is acute pancreatitis that will develop in a sudden manner and tends to be pretty short-term. The problem actually goes away in about a few days if proper medical treatment is provided.

Apart from that, chronic pancreatitis tends to develop after certain episodes of acute pancreatitis. This condition is mostly long-term and can last for several years.

Some of the main causes of pancreatitis might include alcohol consumption, infections, autoimmune diseases, medications, gallstones, trauma, and surgery.

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Pathophysiology of Acute Pancreatitis

When it comes to acute pancreatitis, it is often seen that there is a loss in the extracellular and intracellular compartments. This is due to the obstruction that is caused in the pancreatic section which blocks the activation and transport of several pancreatic enzymes.

In the case of biliary acute pancreatitis, there is an outflow obstruction along the pancreatic duct due to the toxic effect of bile salts and that contributes to a disruption of different pancreatic ductules. Not to mention that there are also some subsequent losses of the extracellular compartmentation. There are alterations of the plasma membranes and that alters the balance that is set between proteolytic enzymes as well as protease inhibitors. This, in turn, triggers autodigestion, cell destruction, and enzyme activation. These details can help you in knowing about the pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis.

Pathophysiology of Chronic Pancreatitis

In the case of chronic pancreatitis, there is an inflammation in the pancreas that is seen due to the progressive destruction of the fibrotic segments that are present in the pancreatic secretory parenchyma.

Despite having heterogeneity in the process of pathogenesis and often involved risk factors, the processes like inflammation, necrosis/apoptosis, and duct obstruction are involved. That process ultimately leads to having a progressive loss of lobular morphology as well as the structure of our pancreas. It also causes deformation of several large ducts as well as severe changes that are caused during the composition and arrangement of the islets.

Now, these are the conditions that often lead to structural and morphological changes that are often irreversible. Not to mention that it also causes failure in the functions of both the exocrine and endocrine systems.

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Knowing the Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatitis

It is often seen that there is a pain in the upper abdomen when there is a case of pancreatitis. The pain might be sudden or gradual depending on the case. Often the pain goes away or sometimes it can get worse after the consumption of food. In most cases, there is also ulcer and gallbladder pain. The hallmark of acute inflammation of the pancreas is abdominal pain. However, in the case of chronic pancreatitis, the patient might not be able to feel any pain at all.

The Signs and Symptoms of Acute Pancreatitis Might Include:

• Abdominal pain often radiating to the back

• Worsening pain after food consumption

• Nausea and tendencies of vomiting

• Tenderness in the abdomen

• Lethargy and weakness

• Fever as well as chills

Some Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Pancreatitis Can Include:

• Unintentional loss of weight

• Abdominal pain

• Oily and foul-smelling stool

• Diarrhoea

• Vomiting

• Upset stomach

Acute Pancreatitis Pathophysiology Nursing Assessment

• Nursing for a patient with acute or chronic pancreatitis would involve:

• Assessing the nutritional status along with the metabolic requirements

• Assessing the electrolyte and fluid status

• Assessing the respiratory status

• With the help of proper diagnosis of treatment, it is believed pancreatitis can be treated in the best possible way.