Article: Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas.

Causes

The most common causes of pancreatitis are gallstones and frequent and excessive consumption of alcohol (80% of cases), and less common causes are drugs or medication. The onset of pain in the abdomen region usually occurs within a day of binge drinking or eating a large meal. Sufferers often feel better in 2 to 3 days if they abstain from food and liquids.

Types

There are three forms of pancreatitis, which are different in causes and symptoms, and require different treatment:

• Acute pancreatitis: One-time occurrence
• Chronic pancreatitis: Persists even after the cause has been removed
• Hereditary pancreatitis: - A genetic abnormality leads to activation of enzymes. Acute hepatic porphyrias including acute intermittent porphyria, hereditary coproporphyria and variegate porphyria are genetic disorders that can be linked to both acute and chronic pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis has also occurred with erythropoietic protoporphyria.