A relatively healthy 67-year-old, my mother recently developed severe abdominal pain. After several days of tests a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis was made. Can you explain what this is?
Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas, a leaf-shaped organ between the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. The pancreas produces and secretes a number of digestive enzymes, as well as chemicals that neutralise stomach acid. It also produces insulin and glucagon which are needed to help regulate sugar levels in the blood. Most people with acute pancreatitis experience severe pain in the upper to mid abdominal region.
While in hospital she was repeatedly asked about her drinking habits. What has alcohol got to do with pancreatitis?
Although there are a number of different causes for acute pancreatitis, about 80 per cent of cases are caused by either gallstones or alcohol abuse. Her doctors questioned her drinking habits to rule out alcohol abuse as a cause.
Although a small gallstone was found, it was not surgically removed. Why was this?
When acute pancreatitis results from a gallstone, treatment will depend on its severity. More than 80 per cent of people with gallstone pancreatitis pass the stone spontaneously, while the other 20 per cent may require surgery to remove the stone.