Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis

The pancreas becomes inflamed when someone has pancreatitis. When the digestive enzymes are activated before they are released into the small intestine and start attacking the pancreas, pancreatic damage results.

Types

• Acute Pancreatitis:Acute pancreatitis is a brief, abrupt inflammation of the pancreas. It could cause anything from minor pain to a serious, potentially fatal disease. After receiving the appropriate care, the majority of persons with acute pancreatitis fully recover. Acute pancreatitis can cause significant tissue damage, cyst development, infection, and bleeding into the pancreatic gland in extreme situations. Other essential organs including the heart, lungs, and kidneys can also suffer damage from severe pancreatitis.
• Chronic Pancreatitis: Long-lasting pancreatic inflammation is known as chronic pancreatitis. After a bout of acute pancreatitis, it occurs most frequently. Another significant contributing factor is binge drinking. Heavy alcohol consumption can damage the pancreas, which may not manifest symptoms for many years before suddenly developing severe pancreatitis symptoms.

Causes

• Alcoholism.
• Gallstones.
• Abdominal surgery.
• Certain medications.
• Cigarette smoking.
• Cystic fibrosis.
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), when used to treat gallstones.
• Family history of pancreatitis.
• High calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia), which may be caused by an overactive parathyroid gland (hyperparathyroidism).
• High triglyceride levels in the blood (hypertriglyceridemia).
• Infection.
• Injury to the abdomen.
• Pancreatic cancer.

Symptoms

Acute pancreatitis signs and symptoms include:

• Upper abdominal pain.
• Abdominal pain that radiates to your back.
• Abdominal pain that feels worse after eating.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Tenderness when touching the abdomen.

Chronic pancreatitis signs and symptoms include:

• Upper abdominal pain.
• Losing weight without trying.
• Oily, smelly stools (steatorrhea).

Diagnosis

• Pancreatic function test to find out if the pancreas is making the right amounts of digestive enzymes.
• Glucose tolerance test to measure damage to the cells in the pancreas that make insulin.
• Ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI, which make images of the pancreas so that problems may be seen.
• ERCP to look at the pancreatic and bile ducts using X-rays.
• Biopsy, in which a needle is inserted into the pancreas to remove a small tissue sample for study.

Treatment

• Pain medications: Pancreatitis can cause severe pain. Your health care team will give you medications to help control the pain.
• Intravenous (IV) fluids: As your body devotes energy and fluids to repairing your pancreas, you may become dehydrated. For this reason, you'll receive extra fluids through a vein in your arm during your hospital stay
• Gallbladder Surgery: If gallstones caused your pancreatitis, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove your gallbladder (cholecystectomy).
• Pancreas Surgery: Surgery may be necessary to drain fluid from your pancreas or to remove diseased tissue.
• Treatment for Alcohol Dependence: Drinking several drinks a day over many years can cause pancreatitis. If this is the cause of your pancreatitis, your doctor may recommend you enter a treatment program for alcohol addiction. Continuing to drink may worsen your pancreatitis and lead to serious complications.

Nursing Management

• Keep to bed rest with a severe assault. Create a calm, relaxing environment.
• Encourage sitting up straight, bending the knees, and leaning forward in a comfortable position on one side.
• Alternative comfort measures like a back rub, relaxation techniques like guided imagery and meditation, and quiet diversionary activities are also encouraged (TV, radio). helps a patient unwind and redirect their concentration; may improve coping.
• Keep food scents away from the surroundings. Pain can be made worse by sensory input, which activates pancreatic enzymes.
• Give analgesics as soon as possible (smaller, more frequent doses). Pain that is severe and persistent can make shock worse and be harder to treat. It also requires higher doses of medication, which can mask underlying issues and complications and possibly contribute to respiratory depression.
• Maintain meticulous skin care, especially if you have abdominal wall fistulas that are draining.
• Maintain BP and, if available, CVP.
• Measure I&O, which includes diarrhea, gastric aspirate, and vomiting Establish a 24-hour fluid equilibrium.
• Examine the abdomen, taking note of any abdominal distension, reports of nausea, and the presence and nature of bowel sounds.
• When changing surgical dressings or working with IV lines, indwelling catheters and tubes, or drains, use strict aseptic technique. Replace dirty dressings right away.

References

• academia.edu/26777550/Pancreaitits_notes
• bestonlinemd.com/pancreatitis-facts-types-symptoms-treatments/
• coursehero.com › McMaster University › NURSING › NURSING 2P03
• documents.mx › Documents
• hellodoktor.com/benh/pancreatitis/
• haikudeck.com/pancreatitis-education-presentation-bwCgKE35ip
• healthquestions.medhelp.org/pancreatitis-blood-loss
• mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatitis/symptoms-causes/dxc-20252598
• Mandal, G. (August 2013). A Textbook of Adult Health Nursing (2nd ed.). Dilllibazar kathmandu: Makalu publication house. Retrieved August 2013
• quizlet.com/145739470/anatomy-practicum-exam-bonito-flash-cards/
• webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-diseases-pancreatitis
• ytmed.com/acute-pancreatitis/