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Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: pancreatitis + acute + 0.13  Related to the article below (Last Update: 8/5/2008)

City doc's in ?5m war on cancer Liverpool Echo, UK - At present there are no specific drugs to treat acute pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis, and even fewer to treat pancreatic cancer meaning the prognosis ... New Vision Jacob Zuma to honour Mayombo New Vision, Uganda - Jul 13, 2008 According to a subsequent government probe report, the acute pancreatitis was caused by a pre-existing condition he had. Mallya Hospital to patient: Rs.265588 Citizen Matters, India - Jul 7, 2008 It is a known fact that when this procedure is performed, the patient always stands a slim chance of developing acute pancreatitis as an offshoot of the ... Share This Story: Scranton Times, PA - Jul 22, 2008 Sometimes pancreatitis is acute; it happens, the veterinarian treats the problem and it goes away. Other times, once pancreatitis occurs, a dog may be left ... MAN Bassist Rushed To Hospital - July 20, 2008 Blabbermouth.net, NY - Jul 20, 2008 Rob was diagnosed with "acute pancreatitis," a complication of the gallstone surgery that he underwent earlier in the week. Acute pancreatitis is ... Canada.com Ukraine's president says former associate may have poisoned him RIA Novosti, Russia - Jul 24, 2008 He suffered from back pain, acute pancreatitis, and nerve paralysis on the left side of his face. After the illness, his face became heavily disfigured ... President fingers close ally in poisoning Ukrainian Journal (subscription) all 258 news articles » Gigwise Barat seeks advice from Russell Brand? Digital Spy, UK - Jul 9, 2008 The Dirty Pretty Things frontman, who was taken to hospital with acute pancreatitis last month, is trying to arrange a date with the comedian. ... Carl Barat To Employ Russell Brand To Help Him Stay Off Alcohol Gigwise all 14 news articles » The Missoulian Prescription for Addiction: Painkillers for stomach condition ... The Missoulian, MT - Jul 22, 2008 By TRISTAN SCOTT of the Missoulian Todd Havelka's addiction to opiate painkillers began with a crippling flare-up of pancreatitis and the decision one day, ... Contactmusic.com Carl wants to be on Brand wagon The Sun, UK - Jul 8, 2008 DIRTY PRETTY THINGS frontman Carl has been ordered to go on the wagon for three months after spending time in hospital with acute pancreatitis. ... DIRTY PRETTY THINGS - BARAT VOWS TO BEAT ALCOHOL ADDICTION AFTER ... Contactmusic.com all 4 news articles » Alima Inquest Leaves Questions in Sierra Leone Awareness Times, Sierra Leone - Jul 14, 2008 ... pathologist reports that Alima died from an acute Diabetic Ketoacidotic Coma having suffered from an undetected chronic pancreatitis in her lifetime. ...

Pancreatitis - Acute

The pancreas is a solid organ behind the stomach. It has cells that produce enzymes to break down food during digestion. Pancreatitis is a condition in which the pancrease becomes swollen and tender. It can be either acute (sudden and severe) or chronic (milder and recurring).

Affecting 50,000 to 80,000 Americans each year, acute pancreatitis comes on suddenly. Symptoms include pain in the upper part of the stomach area, nausea, vomiting, bloating, belching, hiccups or collapse. The pain may be steady and radiate to the back, side or lower stomach area. There may also be a fever, shortness of breath or kidney problems if the symptoms are severe.

Pancreatitis can have several triggers, including:

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Pancreatitis can have several triggers, including:

• Pancreatic cancer
• A block in the ducts between the pancreas and the liver. This includes gallstones that force pancreatic fluids to back up, causing inflammation and permanent damage.
  
• Tumors
• Chemicals in the digestive system
• Inflammation of nearby organs
• Antibiotics, such as sulfa drugs and tetracycline
• High exposure to estrogen and some diuretics
• Binge drinking or regularly drinking large amounts of alcohol
• Abdominal surgery
• Complications from a screening procedure called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• Infections (such as mumps or viral hepatitis)
• High levels of calcium or triglycerides in the blood

People at risk of gallstones are also at risk for acute pancreatitis. This includes pregnant women, women who have had many pregnancies and people who are overweight.

To make a diagnosis, the doctor will touch the abdomen, which is usually hard and tender. The patient may also be constipated, have a slow pulse and show signs of jaundice.

The doctor may also request these tests:

• Computed tomography (CT) scan to see if the pancreas is swelling or if there is fluid in the abdomen or pancreatic "pseudocysts" (pockets of enzymes that can burst, damaging nearby tissues and organs)
  
• Ultrasound of the gallbladder to see if gallstones are in the ducts
  
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), a minimally invasive procedure to find and remove blocks in the gallbladder and bile ducts and diagnose pancreatic tumors. It is more accurate than CT scans.

Acute pancreatitis that is caused by drinking alcohol can turn into chronic pancreatitis with continued alcohol use. The best treatment option, even after only one episode of acute pancreatitis, is to simply stop drinking. Keeping one's weight under control may prevent gallstone-induced attacks.

Mild cases usually cure themselves in a few days. Severe ones can last several weeks. If you suspect pancreatitis, avoid all food and drink, as they will only make the symptoms worse.

Patients with severe cases are admitted to the hospital and given pain relievers and intravenous (IV) fluids. For cases that last more than a few days, nutritional supplements are usually added to the IV lines.

When gallstones are suspected, the gallbladder is often removed.

In life-threatening cases where a blockage of the pancreatic duct is suspected, the doctor may do an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). This uses a light and miniature camera on a tube so the doctor can find and remove the blockage. Sometimes surgery is used to drain a cyst or stop bleeding.