Symptoms Of Pancreatitis To Look Out For

Diabetes

Diabetes is a possible complication that may occur due to chronic pancreatitis, which causes pancreatic scarring and damage. It is a condition in which the body cannot use insulin effectively, resulting in persistently elevated glucose in the blood. Possible signs of diabetes include excessive thirst, frequent urination, blurry vision, fatigue, bruises or cuts that are slow to heal, and weight loss. Patients may also deal with tingling sensations in the hands or feet. They may also feel numb.

Patients will need to monitor their blood glucose levels according to the schedule set by their physician. Dietary alterations and an exercise regimen may help patients reduce their glucose. If these are not enough, patients may be prescribed oral medication to improve their glucose control. Some injectable medication may also be used. These medications may be combined with insulin injections. Patients with diabetes are typically treated in the long-term by an endocrinologist.

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Upper Abdominal Pain

Pain in the upper abdominal quadrant is one of the most common and distressing symptoms of chronic and acute pancreatitis. The pancreas is located in the upper abdomen just behind the stomach. Thus, pain from pancreatitis usually begins in the upper abdominal area. In acute pancreatitis, the pain may occur with nausea and vomiting. Oily stools (steatorrhea) typically accompany chronic pancreatitis. Since upper abdominal pain from this condition is generally severe, patients may be referred to a pain management specialist for advanced care. Avoiding dietary fat may provide some relief, and narcotic pain relievers may be indicated.

Depending on the cause of pancreatitis, some patients may gain pain relief through surgical procedures. For example, if pancreatitis is caused by gallstones, removing the gallbladder can alleviate pain. Patients whose pancreatitis is the result of a bile duct obstruction may be able to have a procedure to correct this. In some cases, draining fluid from the pancreas and removing diseased pancreatic tissue may provide a degree of pain relief.

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