PANCREATITIS
PANCREATITIS
PANCREATITIS
By Gisela G. Luna
Pancreas
function
2 important functions
1. Exocrine function
It releases digestive enzymes to break down and digest fats, foods,
carbohydrates, and proteins in our small intestine.
The enzymes normally are produced and carried in an inactive form to the
small intestine, where the enzymes are activated as needed.
It also makes and releases bicarbonate that neutralizes stomach acids and
allows for the activation of pancreatic enzymes.
Endocrine function
• it produces five hormones, beta cells secrete insulin, alpha cells secrete
glucagon, delta cells secrete somatostatin, epsilon cells secrete ghrelin and
PP (gamma) cells secrete pancreatic polypeptide; and releases them into the
blood.
• These hormones regulate sugar (glucose) transport into the body's cells,
where it is used for energy and to help maintain normal blood sugar levels
What is pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis
occurs when its digestive juices, or enzymes become activated inside pancreas
and start damaging pancreas;
causing injury and irritation to pancreas and leading to inflammation.
It can be a mild, short term condition and self-limiting
or it can cause severe life-threatening complications that can remain for
many years.
Types of pancreatitis
• Acute pancreatitis
is a short term condition and occurs suddenly; causing inflammation of the
pancreas.
Acute pancreatitis may be mild and can develop further complications if
not treated and monitored properly,
such as necrotizing pancreatitis, pancreas infection, pancreatic pseudocyst,
or organ failure
• Signs of acute pancreatitis
• Severe abdominal pain,
• tender and swollen belly,
• diarrhea,
• nausea,
• bloating,
• vomiting
• and fever
• Chronic pancreatitis
is a long-term condition, causing inflammation of the pancreas.
It is a progressive disorder associated with the damaging of the tissues of the
pancreas that cannot be reversed.
It is more common in male aged between 32 and 45 years.
it is a long-term progressive disease; causing permanent damage to the
pancreas
• chronic pancreatitis
• Pancreatic cancer
when uncontrolled cell growth begins in the tissues of the pancreas
Cancerous and noncancerous tumors growths can occur in the pancreas
Pancreatic cancer can be cured if detected early
It can also slow down the production of digestive enzymes by the pancreas,
resulting in difficulty to break down food and absorbing nutrients.
causing bloating
watery, greasy, foul-smelling stool,
leading to weight loss and
vitamin deficiencies.
• Causes of Pancreatitis
• Moderate or heavy alcohol consumption and smoking (25% cases of
pancreatitis)
• Gallbladder stone (40% cases of acute pancreatitis)
• Hormonal abnormalities
• Abdominal injury
• Hereditary conditions
• Obesity
• Recurrent acute pancreatitis can cause chronic pancreatitis
• Cystic fibrosis (inherited life-threatening disorder that damages the digestive
system and lungs)
• Certain Medications
• Increased level of triglycerides (fat in a blood that gives energy)
• Abdominal surgery
•
Symptoms of Pancreatitis
• Diagnostic Tests
• Imaging tests
• Blood tests
• Fecalysis
• pancreatic function test
Pain killers
Pancreatic enzyme therapy
Insulin for diabetes
Surgery to relieve pain
Nursing Management
Nursing Assessment
• Diagnosis
• Planning & Goals
• Nursing Interventions
• Evaluation