Acute pancreatitis is a serious condition that causes abdominal pain and vomiting. The pain is usually severe and lasts for several hours. In some cases, the pain may also spread to the back. This condition is more common in people with kidney and diabetes problems. If you think that you or a child you know is suffering from this condition, you should seek medical attention right away.
The treatment of acute pancreatitis usually includes intravenous fluids and medicines that help relieve the pain. You may need to stay in the hospital for a few days. In addition, you should avoid alcohol and strenuous exercise. You should also limit the amount of alcohol you drink and try to follow a special diet to allow your pancreas time to heal.
The diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is based on the symptoms and imaging findings. CT scans can help determine whether or not you have the condition. If the pancreas is only mildly swollen, the prognosis is excellent. However, if large portions of the pancreas are destroyed, the prognosis is poor. There are also scoring systems that are used to assess the severity of acute pancreatitis.
A blood test may help diagnose acute pancreatitis. In this test, a doctor measures pancreatic enzyme levels and determine whether or not you have acute pancreatitis. High levels of pancreatic enzymes in the blood suggest that the pancreas is swollen and inflamed. A CT scan can also help find cysts and inflammation of the pancreas.
