The inflammation of the pancreas, or pancreatitis, is probably the most common disease for this organ. Many pancreatic disease symptoms point to this affliction, but there are also times when pancreatic disease symptoms point to other, more severe symptoms. There are many factors associated with pancreatitis, including direct injury, certain drugs, viral infections, hereditary diseases and congenital problems in a system.



Even though the immediate cause of acute pancreatitis is not always clear, it seems to involve one or more of the following factors: increased pressure in one channel due to partial obstruction, bile stones or edemas; and afflictions of the channels in organs that allow the leaking of activated digestive enzymes in the pancreatic substance and in the surrounding tissues.



The over-stimulation of the secretion mechanism producing enzymes in the cell can lead to the energizing of intracellular enzyme systems, resulting in the conversion of proenzymes into active forms which begin digesting cellular organites. The gland thus begins to self destruct. Similar damage may also occur in other organs of the body, such as the lungs, kidneys and blood vessels that receive these enzymes activated through the cellular system. It is not clear how the trypsinogen proenzymes are transformed into trypsin in the affected cell.

However, it is known that the activation of other proenzymes begins with this conversion. The degree of cellular destruction seems to depend on the strength of causing factors. Strong localized pain, in the abdomen and in the back, due to the leaking of enzymes, destruction of the tissue and irritation of the nerves is the most often encountered symptom of acute pancreatitis. In serious cases there could be the occurrence of respiratory arrest, shock or even death.

The severity of the symptoms generally depends on the amount of damage suffered by the pancreas; the mortality rate reaches close to 50% in cases of severe pancreatitis, but it is below 5% in less severe cases. Diagnosis is confirmed by the detection of a high level of pancreas enzymes in the blood an, if the function of the cell is disturbed by the inflammation process, high levels of glucose in the blood.

Ultratomography scans of the upper abdomen have shown an increased and infected pancreas. Strong pain, often followed by fever, suggests the presence of a pseudocyst caused by outbreaks of infection in the pancreas. Acute pancreatitis is treatable through sustained therapy, with the replacement of fluid and salts, through the control of the pain. In severe cases, washing the dead tissue and additive enzymes from the abdominal cavity during surgery may be beneficial. During post-operatory recovery, the prevention of a new attack is the main objective.



In addition, the removal of stones, ceasing the consumption of alcohol, decreasing the amount of fat in the blood through an adequate diet and ceasing the consumption of drugs might be useful measures. Where repeated attacks have led to the scarring of the main pancreatic vein, surgical repairs may prevent further attacks.