What is pancreatitis and what is the basic mechanism that underlies the condition?

Answer 1

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that may be brought on by years of heavy consumption of alcohol or gall stones. The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach and close to the duodenum. The duodenum is the upper part of the small intestine. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine through a tube called the pancreatic duct. These enzymes help digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in food. The pancreas also releases the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. These hormones help the body use the glucose it takes from food for energy.

Normally, digestive enzymes do not become active until they reach the small intestine, where they begin digesting food. But if these enzymes become active inside the pancreas, they start "digesting" the pancreas itself.

Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly and lasts for a short period of time and usually resolves. Chronic pancreatitis does not resolve itself and results in a slow destruction of the pancreas. Either form can cause serious complications. In severe cases, bleeding, tissue damage, and infection may occur. Pseudocysts, accumulations of fluid and tissue debris, may also develop and enzymes and toxins may enter the bloodstream, injuring the heart, lungs, and kidneys, or other organs.

Symptoms include moderate to severe pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, swollen abdomen or tenderness to the touch.
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that could be due to a viral infection or chronic Alcoholism or drug use.

Answer 2

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that may be brought on by years of heavy consumption of alcohol or gall stones. The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach and close to the duodenum. The duodenum is the upper part of the small intestine. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine through a tube called the pancreatic duct. These enzymes help digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in food. The pancreas also releases the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. These hormones help the body use the glucose it takes from food for energy.

Normally, digestive enzymes do not become active until they reach the small intestine, where they begin digesting food. But if these enzymes become active inside the pancreas, they start "digesting" the pancreas itself.

Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly and lasts for a short period of time and usually resolves. Chronic pancreatitis does not resolve itself and results in a slow destruction of the pancreas. Either form can cause serious complications. In severe cases, bleeding, tissue damage, and infection may occur. Pseudocysts, accumulations of fluid and tissue debris, may also develop and enzymes and toxins may enter the bloodstream, injuring the heart, lungs, and kidneys, or other organs.

Symptoms include moderate to severe pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, swollen abdomen or tenderness to the touch.
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that could be due to a viral infection or chronic Alcoholism or drug use.

Answer 3

Pancreatitis is characterized by the pancreas being inflamed. When this condition occurs, the body's normal complex coordination is disrupted and the enzymes in the pancreas are prematurely activated before they exit the organ. This results in these enzymes digesting pancreatic tissue.

Answer 4

'Pancreatic' is the term used to refer to anything relating to the pancreas.