Chronic pancreatitis can affect people of any age, but is most common in middle-aged men aged between 45 and 54.
Until quite recently, pancreatitis was thought to be almost exclusively a disease of adults and most frequently associated with alcohol abuse. However, pancreatitis occurs in all age groups, even infants. Pancreatitis is divided into “acute” and “chronic” disease.
Prognosis in chronic pancreatitis
The overall 10-year and 20-year survival rates are estimated to be about 70% and 45%, respectively. For some people, a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis can mean a lifetime of pain and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Chronic pancreatitis due to alcohol most commonly develops in men aged 30-40 years old who are long-term heavy drinkers. Women are less commonly affected.
Research shows that heavy alcohol users (people who consume four to five drinks a day) are at increased risk of pancreatitis. Cigarette smoking. Smokers are on average three times more likely to develop chronic pancreatitis, compared with nonsmokers.
Acute pancreatitis is more common in middle-aged and elderly people, but it can affect people of any age. Men are more likely to develop alcohol-related pancreatitis, while women are more likely to develop it as a result of gallstones.
Most people with acute pancreatitis will recover completely in a few days with supportive care: rest, hydration and pain relief. However, a very severe case of acute pancreatitis can cause serious health complications, some of them life-threatening.
Pancreatitis is the redness and swelling (inflammation) of the pancreas. It may be sudden (acute) or ongoing (chronic). The most common causes are alcohol abuse and lumps of solid material (gallstones) in the gallbladder.
Mild acute pancreatitis usually goes away in a few days with rest and treatment. If your pancreatitis is more severe, your treatment may also include: Surgery. Your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the gallbladder, called cholecystectomy, if gallstones cause your pancreatitis.
Can pancreatitis turn into pancreatic cancer? "Chronic pancreatitis increases the risk two-fold compared to the general population," says Mridula Krishnan, MBBS, Nebraska Medicine oncologist and hematologist. "But a very small number, only 1% to 2%, of pancreatic cancer incidence is secondary chronic pancreatitis."
Emotional stress can excite the vagus nerve (connects the brain with the stomach) and causes the stomach to be stimulated to produce excessive amounts of acid. As noted, this increase in acid stimulates an increase in pancreatic secretion production. This can exacerbate pancreatitis once it has been established.
A: Chronic pancreatitis is a serious illness and, in some cases, can be fatal. A small number of people with chronic pancreatitis will develop pancreatic cancer, which can be fatal. Small numbers of people with chronic pancreatitis may die from complications following surgery or from a digestive hemorrhage.
Abstract. Background: Mortality in chronic pancreatitis is higher than in the general population, the 10-year survival after diagnosis is estimated between 69-80%.
Chronic pancreatitis that was due to alcohol use, smoking and persistent opioid use were also all factors associated with worse overall survival, the study found. Overall, 165 study patients died at a median age of 50.6 years.
The most common cause of chronic pancreatitis is ethanol abuse. Smoking is also an important risk factor.
Heavy drinking over many years can cause repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis is usually a short-term condition, but it can recur if you continue to drink alcohol. Over time, repeated inflammation causes permanent damage to the pancreas, resulting in chronic pancreatitis.
Rest and recovery, and fasting gives time to your pancreas to recover and work again for producing insulin and enzymes. Sleeping or fasting enables pancreas to regenerate enzymes.
In most cases, acute pancreatitis goes away in a few days with dietary changes, cessation of alcohol, or treatments, which may include fluids, antibiotics, pain medication, or a procedure where a doctor manually widens the opening of the pancreatic or bile duct.
Tests and procedures used to diagnose pancreatitis include: Blood tests to look for elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes, along with white blood cells, kidney function and liver enzymes. Abdominal ultrasound to look for gallstones and pancreas inflammation.
The main symptom of pancreatitis is pain felt in the upper left side or middle of the abdomen. The pain: May be worse within minutes after eating or drinking at first, more commonly if foods have a high fat content. Becomes constant and more severe, lasting for several days.
Each year, about 275,000 hospital stays for acute pancreatitis occur in the United States. Although pancreatitis is rare in children, the number of children with acute pancreatitis has grown. Chronic pancreatitis is less common, with about 86,000 hospital stays per year.
Pancreatitis has two stages — acute and chronic. Chronic pancreatitis is a more persistent condition. Most cases of acute pancreatitis are mild and involve a short hospital stay for the pancreas to recover. Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly after the pancreas is damaged.
In severe cases, pancreatitis can be life-threatening. If you have severe abdominal (tummy) pain that lasts for more than 20 minutes, call your doctor or visit the emergency department of your local hospital. Pancreatitis can be either acute (sudden onset) or chronic (ongoing and longer-term).
Proper functioning of the pancreas is critical to our health. That's why pancreatitis is a serious condition and the signs of pancreatitis should not be ignored because they lead to complications if not treated.