Pancreatitis in New Jersey
Lawrenceville, New Jersey’s Digestive Health & Nutrition Center is led by gastroenterologist Angela Merlo, M.D. We offer diagnosis and treatment for pancreatitis for residents in and around Trenton and Princeton.
What is Pancreatitis?
The pancreas is part of the digestive system, and can cause intense pain when infected. Gallstones that develop inside the gallbladder may lead to pancreatitis, but the condition may also relate to the use and abuse of alcohol. Pain in the center and the top portion of the abdomen that shoots towards the back or around the body is a common sign of the condition.
Doctors treating patients diagnosed with pancreatitis often look at ways to reduce the pain that patients experience and recommend dietary changes to reduce their symptoms. Those who learn how to care for their pancreatitis can lead long and healthy lives.
Causes of Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is common in alcoholic patients. The pancreas helps break down the alcohol that an individual drinks, but excessive abuse or use of alcohol can keep the pancreas from breaking down that alcohol. Some individuals may experience pain a few days after drinking, but others may experience it just a few hours later. Dr. Merlo often looks at a patient’s medical history to determine how much he or she drinks. Pancreatitis is more common in those with a history of drinking every day and those who engage in binge drinking activities.
Around 80,000 people living in the United States suffer from acute pancreatitis, but not all of those patients do so because of gallbladder problems or alcoholism. Other causes of pancreatitis may include mumps and other types of infections, operations and medical procedures, heredity, high levels of triglycerides and taking certain prescription drugs.
Types of Pancreatitis
Acute Pancreatitis
Although doctors are unsure of what causes acute pancreatitis, they find that it more commonly occurs in those with a history of alcoholism and in patients with frequent gallbladder problems, including gallstones. Gallstones are tiny masses formed in the gallbladder that the body tries to push through the bile ducts to expel. Larger gallstones can form blockages that lead to a buildup of enzymes in the pancreas. As the pancreas continues creating excess enzymes, it eventually causes sharp or intense pain.
Chronic Pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis occurs in patients who have experienced acute pancreatitis in the past. It usually occurs after patients experience multiple attacks over a few months or years. In some rare cases, it can occur after just one bout of chronic pancreatitis. Those who binge drink or drink excessive amounts of alcohol should keep in mind that chronic bouts of pancreatitis are commonly associated with alcoholism.
Differences between Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis
The primary differences between cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis relate to how long the pain lasts. Those dealing with acute cases may need to spend a night or two in the hospital and go through treatments designed to repair any damage to the pancreas. Those suffering from a chronic form of the condition will generally experience more pain that requires more invasive and serious treatments.
Doctors will need to determine if the pain is an acute or chronic condition. They will often require some form of test, including an MRCP, ERCP, endoscopic ultrasound or x-ray of the abdominal area, which allows them to look for any scar tissue. They may also request tests to determine if the patient has diabetes or other medical conditions that can limit the body’s ability to produce insulin or enzymes.
What are the Symptoms of Pancreatitis?
The most common symptom of pancreatitis is pain along the upper and central portion of the abdomen that moves towards the back. Some patients find that the pain worsens, depending on the foods they eat. Other symptoms may include nausea, jaundice, vomiting and unexplained weight loss. The weight loss can occur as scarring builds up in the pancreas, which reduces the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Weight loss is usually a symptom found in alcoholic patients. Some patients may also experience pseudocysts, which refer to the buildup of debris in the pancreas. Doctors will often examine those cysts for signs of cancer.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatitis
The type of treatment the doctor recommends depends on the cause of your pancreatitis. Damage to the bile ducts may require the removal or draining of those ducts. If the patient suffers from frequent gallbladder attacks, the doctor will need to remove the gallbladder. Doctors can also drain or remove cysts and recommend dietary changes to prevent further attacks and pain.
Dr. Merlo often recommends dietary changes as a way to reduce the production of bile found in your body. The doctor may also prescribe or suggest that you take enzyme tablets to increase the production of enzymes in your pancreas. As all cases are different, it’s important that you let the doctor examine you fully and offer the right treatment for your condition.
If you live in or around Trenton or Princeton, New Jersey and are looking for a specialist in adult and pediatric gastroenterology who treats pancreatitis, contact the Digestive Health & Nutrition Center in Lawrenceville today to set up an appointment.
