AllRefer Health - Caring for your Well Being  

Home | About | FAQs | Contact Us

AllRefer Channels :: Yellow Pages | Reference | Health  

Diseases & Conditions
Select & Go
 Diet & Nutrition
 Diseases & Conditions 
 Health News
 Injuries & Wounds
 Poisons & Overdoses
 Surgery & Procedures 
 Symptoms Guide
 Special Topics
 Tests & Exams
 Pictures & Images
 Medical Encyclopedia
Google
  Web health.allrefer.com   

You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Diseases & Conditions > Acute Pancreatitis

Acute Pancreatitis

Provided by A.D.A.M.

Definition

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Symptoms & Signs

Prevention

Diagnosis & Tests

Treatment

Expectations or Prognosis

Complications

Calling Your Health Care Provider

Pictures & Images

Go To Main Page


Definition

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammation (irritation and swelling with presence of extra immune cells) of the pancreas. The pancreas is an elongated, tapered gland, located behind the stomach, that secretes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon.

Pictures & Images

Digestive System
Digestive System

Endocrine Glands
Endocrine Glands

Pancreatitis, Acute - CT Scan
Pancreatitis, Acute - CT Scan

Pancreatitis, CT Scan Series
Pancreatitis, CT Scan Series

     See all Pictures & Images
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

The chief causes of acute pancreatitis in adults are gallstones, other gallbladder (biliary) disease, and alcohol use. Viral infection (mumps, coxsackie B, mycoplasma pneumonia, and campylobacter), traumatic injury, pancreatic or common bile duct surgical procedures and certain medications (especially estrogens, corticosteroids, thiazide diuretics, and azathioprine) are other causes.

The mechanism that causes pancreatitis is not well known. It is thought that enzymes normally secreted by the pancreas in an inactive form become activated inside the pancreas and start to digest the pancreatic tissue. This process is called autodigestion and causes swelling, hemorrhage, and damage to the blood vessels. An attack may last for 48 hours.

The disease affects men more often than women. Alcohol abuse is an important risk factor.

In children, this disorder may be associated with:



Today's Top News Stories

Falls Are Top Cause of Injury, Death Among Elderly - Jul 19, 2008, 09:00
Not all homes are the same, but common sense measures can reduce the risk, expert says.

Heart Blood Vessels Grown in the Lab - Jul 18, 2008, 19:00
Could offer a future alternative to bypass surgery, researchers say.

Clinical Trials Update: July 18, 2008 - Jul 18, 2008, 09:24

Loud Music in Bars Hastens Drinking - Jul 18, 2008, 16:00
French researchers say blasting tunes makes patrons down more alcohol in less time.

Breast-Fed Babies Have Fewer GI Infections - Jul 18, 2008, 17:00
But they're more likely to be iron-deficient, study finds.


<

^ Top

>


Jump to another section

Definition
Acute Pancreatitis Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Acute Pancreatitis Symptoms & Signs
Acute Pancreatitis Prevention
Acute Pancreatitis Diagnosis & Tests
Acute Pancreatitis Treatment
Acute Pancreatitis Prognosis
Acute Pancreatitis Complications
Calling Your Health Care Provider
Pictures & Images

Topics that might be of interest to you

Diseases & Conditions

Abscess
Acute Kidney Failure
ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome)
Ascites
Cholelithiasis
Cystic Fibrosis
Heart Failure
Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome (HUS)
Intestinal Obstruction
Kawasaki Disease
Mumps
Mycoplasma Pneumonia
Pancreatitis
Reye's Syndrome

Tests & Exams

Abdominal CT Scan
Abdominal Ultrasound
Amylase - Urine
Amylase Test
AST
Calcium - Ionized
CBC
CEA
Fecal Fat
Glucagon
Glucose Test
LDH
LDH Isoenzymes
Lipase Test
Pulse
Serum Calcium
Serum Magnesium - Test
Trypsinogen
WBC Count

Other Topics

Abdomen - Swollen
Abdominal Pain
Alcohol Use
Bile
Blood Pressure - Low
Chronic
Cysts
Endoscope
Fat
Fever
Gas/Flatus - Excessive
Hemorrhagic
Hiccups
Immunizations - General Overview
Indigestion
Intravenous
Jaundice - Yellow Skin
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain Medications
Rashes
Stress and Anxiety
Swelling

Review Date : 4/25/2002
Reviewed By : Andrew J. Muir, M.D. M.H.S., Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

Main Page of Acute Pancreatitis






Featured Topics

Alzheimer's Disease

High Blood Pressure

Crohn's Disease

Impotence

Overactive Bladder


ADAM

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial reviewers. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Copyright © 2007 AllRefer.com All Rights reserved.
Health Topics: A-Al Am-Az B C-Cj Ck-Cz D E F G H I J K L M N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sl Sm-Sz T U V W X Y Z 0-9
About Us | Help | Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy | Advertising Policy | Accessibility | Terms of Use
Contact Us | Link to Us | User Satisfaction Survey | Healthopedia.com
Page Last Updated: 19 Jul, 2008