Pancreatitis Explained: Causes, Symptoms & How It Damages Your Body (Acute vs Chronic) | India

Описание: Pancreatitis is a serious condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed. Your pancreas sits behind your stomach and has two major jobs: (1) making digestive enzymes that help break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, and (2) producing hormones like insulin that help control blood sugar. When pancreatitis happens, the digestive enzymes can start “activating” inside the pancreas instead of the intestine—this can cause the pancreas to injure itself, leading to swelling, intense pain, and, in severe cases, life-threatening complications.

In this video, we explain what pancreatitis is, how it enters your body’s story, what triggers it, how it damages different organs, and what you should do if you suspect it.

What causes pancreatitis?

Common triggers of pancreatitis include:

Gallstones (a very common cause): A gallstone can block the pancreatic duct and trap enzymes inside the pancreas.

Alcohol: Heavy drinking can inflame pancreatic tissue and increase enzyme activation.

High triglycerides (very high blood fat levels)

Certain medicines, infections, and injury/trauma

Smoking (raises risk and worsens outcomes)

Genetic factors (in some people, pancreatitis can recur due to inherited risks)

Pancreatitis symptoms you should know

Pancreatitis often shows up with:

Severe upper abdominal pain, often in the center or left side

Pain that may radiate to the back

Pain that can worsen after eating, especially fatty meals

Nausea and vomiting

Fever, fast heartbeat, bloating

In chronic pancreatitis: weight loss, poor appetite, and oily/foul stools (fat malabsorption)

If you have severe abdominal pain that doesn’t improve, or pain with vomiting, fever, breathlessness, dizziness, or yellow eyes/skin, it can be an emergency.

Acute pancreatitis vs chronic pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is sudden inflammation. Many mild cases improve with hospital care, fluids, and monitoring. But severe acute pancreatitis can cause dehydration, low blood pressure, infection, breathing issues, kidney injury, or systemic inflammation.

Chronic pancreatitis happens when inflammation continues or repeats over time. The pancreas gradually gets scarred and loses function, leading to long-term digestion problems and hormone imbalance.

How pancreatitis damages your body

Pancreatitis doesn’t just hurt your stomach area—it can affect the entire body:

Digestive damage: If enzyme production drops, food isn’t broken down properly. This can cause gas, bloating, diarrhea, and fatty stools, plus vitamin deficiencies (A, D, E, K).

Blood sugar damage: As pancreatic cells are damaged, insulin production can decrease, increasing the risk of diabetes.

Severe inflammation: In acute cases, inflammation can spread through the bloodstream and affect lungs, kidneys, and heart.

Pancreatic pseudocysts: Fluid-filled pockets can form and may become infected or rupture.

Infection and necrosis: In severe pancreatitis, parts of the pancreas may lose blood supply and get infected—this is dangerous and needs urgent care.

Chronic pain and malnutrition: Long-term inflammation can cause persistent pain and poor nutrient absorption.

How doctors diagnose pancreatitis

Diagnosis usually involves:

Medical history (alcohol use, gallstone symptoms, medications)

Blood tests (often amylase/lipase)

Ultrasound for gallstones

CT/MRI in some cases to assess severity or complications

Treatment overview (general education)

Treatment depends on severity, but may include:

IV fluids, pain control, rest for the pancreas

Treating the cause (e.g., gallstone management)

Nutrition support if needed

Enzyme supplements in chronic pancreatitis (only if prescribed)

Lifestyle changes: stop alcohol and smoking, manage triglycerides, balanced diet

Prevention tips (India-friendly & practical)

Limit or avoid alcohol, especially binge drinking

Don’t smoke

Maintain a healthy weight and manage cholesterol/triglycerides

Eat a balanced diet; reduce very oily/fatty meals if advised

Treat gallstones early if you have symptoms

⚠️ Important: This video is for education only and does not replace medical advice. If you suspect pancreatitis, especially with severe pain or repeated vomiting, please seek urgent medical care.

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