Pancreatic Disease

Best Hospital For Pancreatitis Treatment In Hyderabad

The pancreas is a gland located behind your stomach and in front of your spine. This organ produces juices that aid in digestion and hormones that control blood sugar levels. If the pancreas is not functioning correctly, many health problems can occur. They include:

• A condition known as pancreatitis occurs when digestive enzymes attack the pancreas itself.

• Pancreatic cancer

• Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder in which thick, sticky mucus can also clog pancreatic tubes

Diabetes is also caused by the pancreas. A person with type 1 diabetes no longer produces insulin because their immune system has attacked the beta cells of the pancreas. The pancreas does not secrete enough insulin in response to meals in people with type 2 diabetes.

CARE Hospital is the best hospital for pancreatitis treatment in India that treats acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and tumours. 

Diagnosis

Pancreatitis can be diagnosed using the following tests and procedures:

• Blood tests- to measure pancreatic enzyme levels, white blood cells, kidney function, and liver enzymes.

• Abdominal ultrasound- to detect gallstones and inflammation of the pancreas.

• Computerized tomography (CT) scan- to check for gallstones and to assess the severity of pancreatic inflammation.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)- for detecting abnormalities of the gallbladder, pancreas, and ducts.

• Endoscopic ultrasound- used to diagnose inflammation and blockages in the pancreatic duct or bile duct.

• Stool tests- used to determine whether your digestive system is absorbing nutrients properly in chronic pancreatitis.

How to prevent pancreatitis?

1. Lifestyle choices can help prevent some, but not all, causes of pancreatitis.

• Drinking too much alcohol is a common cause of both acute and chronic pancreatitis, so it's important to completely avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
• Being overweight increases the severity and risk of pancreatitis, so managing obesity is crucial.

2. Staying active and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle can reduce the risk of developing gallstones and obesity, which are linked to pancreatitis.
3. Certain drugs, such as steroids and azathioprine, should only be taken under a doctor's supervision to avoid triggering pancreatitis.
4. If you have gallstones and they cause symptoms, it's best to have them treated with laparoscopic surgery to prevent gallstone pancreatitis. Using alternative medicines to dissolve gallstones can be risky if you develop pancreatitis in the meantime, which can be life-threatening.

Treatment

A hospital’s initial treatment may include:

• Early eating- Consuming food as soon as you can tolerate it helps heal the pancreas. Drink clear liquids and eat bland foods as you feel better and the inflammation in your pancreas improves. The inflammation in your pancreas will begin to subside with time. Respective doctors may recommend a feeding tube if your symptoms of pancreatitis persist and you have difficulty eating.
• Pain medications- Pancreatitis can be extremely painful. To help control the pain, your doctor may prescribe medications.
• Intravenous (IV) fluids- As your body repairs your pancreas, you may become dehydrated. During your hospital stay, you will receive extra fluids through a vein in your arm.

As soon as your pancreatitis is under control, your healthcare team will evaluate and treat its underlying cause. Pancreatitis can be treated in a variety of ways depending on the cause:

• The removal of bile duct obstructions- It may be necessary to open or widen the bile duct in cases of pancreatitis caused by a narrowed or blocked bile duct.

• Gallbladder surgery- When gallstones are the cause of your pancreatitis, your doctor will recommend a cholecystectomy to remove your gallbladder.

• Pancreas procedures- You may need an endoscopic procedure to drain fluid from your pancreas or to remove diseased tissue.

• Treatment for alcohol dependence- Pancreatitis can be caused by drinking several drinks per day for many years. You may need to enter an alcohol addiction treatment program if this is the cause of your pancreatitis. The consumption of alcohol would worsen your pancreatitis and cause serious complications.

• Changes in medications- If a medication causes acute pancreatitis, your doctor may stop it and find an alternative.

Additional treatments for chronic pancreatitis

Pancreatitis caused by chronic conditions may require additional treatments, including:

• Pain management- Persistent abdominal pain can be caused by chronic pancreatitis. The cause of chronic pancreatitis will be determined by your doctor, and medications may be prescribed to manage your pain. You may also be referred to a pain specialist if necessary. Pain can be relieved with endoscopic ultrasounds or injections that block the nerves that transmit pain signals to the brain from the pancreas.

• Improve digestion with enzymes- Supplementing with pancreatic enzymes can help your body break down and process the nutrients found in food if you suffer from chronic pancreatitis. It is usually taken one or two times per day with meals.

• Make dietary changes- You can ask your doctor to refer you to a dietitian who can help you plan healthy, low-fat meals.

Why choose us?

CARE Hospitals is an integrated healthcare ecosystem that includes related components of education and training, in addition to pursuing innovations that make healthcare more affordable.  CARE Hospitals is the preferred destination for healthcare for people living in India and abroad due to its state-of-the-art infrastructure, internationally-certified doctors, and caring environment.

FAQs

1. What is the role of pancreatic enzymes?

Pancreatic enzymes play a crucial role in digestion. The pancreas produces enzymes like trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase, and amylase, aiding in the breakdown of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Among these, lipase is vital for fat digestion. Pancreatic insufficiency can lead to fat malabsorption, nutritional deficiencies, including fat-soluble vitamins, calcium malabsorption, and various health issues, including osteoporosis, liver, and heart problems.

2. What is the best treatment for acute pancreatitis? 

In acute pancreatitis, treatment varies by the phase of the illness. During the inflammatory phase (first two weeks), supportive care is essential, including hydration, nutritional support, blood pressure, and renal and lung function maintenance. In the infective phase (after two weeks), minimally invasive procedures like endoscopic necrosectomy (removal of dead pancreas tissues using endoscopy) or laparoscopic techniques are often the best approach.

3. Does prolonged antacid treatment cause pancreatic adenocarcinoma?

Prolonged use of antacids is not associated with an increased risk of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. However, excessive and unnecessary antacid use can have other adverse effects on the body, such as interactions with cardiac medications, kidney issues, and a potential link to conditions like Alzheimer's disease.