Pancreas Infection Treatment in Mumbai, India

Infection of the pancreas or pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. It is of two types, namely, acute and chronic pancreatitis. It leads to severe upper abdominal pain.

Associated Anatomy

Pancreas, Upper abdomen

Alternate Name

Acute pancreatitis

Pancreas Infection Symptoms

Symptoms include:

• Severe upper abdominal pain
• Back pain radiating from the abdominal area
• Fever: sudden or insidious onset fever
• Vomiting
• Nausea or dizziness
• Weight loss that may be unexplained
• Change in pattern or characteristics of stools
• Diarrhea or watery stools

Signs include:

• Tenderness on palpation of the upper abdomen
• Rapid pulse on examination
• Presence of fever

Pancreas Infection Causes

• Infection from viruses such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and other virulent pathogens
• Gallstones
• Chronic alcohol intake
• Pancreatic cancer
• An abdominal surgery
• Trauma: Injury to the pancreas during an accident
• Obesity
• Cystic fibrosis: This is a genetic condition that causes pancreatitis.
• Hypertriglyceridemia: Excess amounts of fat or triglycerides increase the risk of pancreatic infection.
• Hypercalcemia: An increase in calcium levels may affect the pancreas and cause infection.

Additional Type

• Hereditary Pancreatitis: A family history of pancreas infection or sensitivity makes one more prone to this disorder. There has been no known cause in some individuals.
• Necrotizing Pancreatitis: Acute episodes of pancreas infection may sometimes cause the death of cells, known as necrotizing pancreatitis.

Pancreas Infection Stages

On prolonged illness, an acute episode of pancreas infection may turn into a chronic stage. Associated comorbidities may also cause chronic pancreatitis.

Typical Tests of Pancreas Infection

• Physical examination for abdominal tenderness, pulse, fever, swelling, and body weight.
• Blood tests to check sugar and insulin levels.
• Stool examination to check for excess fat in stool, signifying that the pancreas is not able to process food adequately.
• A CT or MRI scan to screen the pancreas for abnormal distension, calcification, and other abnormalities.
• Abdominal ultrasound to look for gallstones.
• Endoscopic ultrasound for blockages in the pancreatic bile duct or bile duct.
• A pancreas function test for pancreas function.

Pancreas Infection Treatment

• Medications: Medicines for pain as well as antibiotics are administered in acute pancreatitis.
• Diet and Nutrition: To control symptoms and infection, intravenous or nasal feeding will be conducted. Doctors may advise a strict low-fat diet, with intermittent fasting.
• Surgery may be considered to remove gallstones.
• Cancerous tissue may be removed through surgery.
• The procedure endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), conducted in acute episodes, involves the insertion of a tube through the throat into the stomach and intestine to remove obstruction-causing gallstones.
• In chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy is administered to help the digestive tract digest all nutrients.

Pancreas Infection Risk Factors

Modifiable risk factors: These are factors that can be changed or prevented:

• Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Consuming more than two drinks per day can increase one's risk of developing a pancreas infection.

• Obesity: Being overweight predisposes one to infections.
• Diabetes: High sugar levels may cause excessive insulin secretion from the pancreas and increase pancreas sensitivity.
• Cigarette Smoking: Individuals who smoke are three times more vulnerable to a pancreas infection than non-smokers.

Non-modifiable risk factors are the ones that cannot be changed or prevented:

• Family history of pancreas infection or sensitivity.

Pancreas Infection Complications

• Malnutrition: Reduction in body weight and lack of nutrition causes malnutrition.
• Kidney Failure: Pancreatitis may cause multi-system failure, more commonly in the kidneys.
• Pancreatic Cancer: Inflammation and infection of the pancreas cells lead to abnormal cell growth and mass formation.
• Diabetes: Lack of insulin production from the pancreas causes diabetes and related complications.
• Multiple organ infection after pancreatitis causes abnormal breathing and lung tissue damage.
• Pseudocysts or small fluid-filled pockets may form in the infected pancreas, which may burst in chronic conditions.

Pancreas Infection Prevention

Primary prevention

• Healthy Lifestyle: Maintaining adequate nutrition and physical activity can help prevent pancreas infection. A low-fat diet and foods rich in proteins should be incorporated.
• Genetic Counseling: Parents and relatives with pancreatitis can be counseled for preventing this disorder in future generations.
• Vaccination against major viral infections can reduce the risk of developing a pancreatic infection.

Secondary Prevention

• Quit Smoking: Once diagnosed with pancreatitis, one should completely stop smoking to prevent future episodes.
• Reducing Body Weight: Healthy, nutritious food and supervised physical activity and fitness will lead one to reduce excessive body weight and fat.
• Keeping Diabetes at Bay: Controlling and maintaining adequate sugar levels.
• Alcohol consumption must be stopped during pancreas infection.

Epidemiology

• Males are more prone to developing a pancreas infection than females.
• African American individuals have a higher risk than their Asian counterparts.
• Pancreas infection is usually seen between the ages of 30 and 40.

Prognosis

Expected Prognosis

Acute pancreatitis causes severe abdominal pain but is treatable with medications and avoidance of fatty foods. Associated comorbidities may cause the pancreas to become sensitive but are managed with medical and physical therapy protocols.

Natural Progression

If untreated or neglected in the long run, pancreas cells may start to die or develop a mass, eventually causing death. The inability to digest food properly may cause malnutrition.

Pathophysiology

The pancreas produces insulin to balance the sugar levels in the body. Damage to the pancreas may cause diabetes and insulin sensitivity. The pancreas is also responsible for producing digestive enzymes that help the stomach and intestines digest food. The inability of the pancreas to secrete digestive enzymes may lead to malnutrition. Pancreatitis may affect multiple organs in chronic stages.

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