What is acute severe pancreatitis?

Written by Li Qiang
Intensive Care Unit
Updated on October 20, 2024
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Acute severe pancreatitis is caused by many reasons, including binge eating, especially consuming a large amount of high-fat diet, excessive drinking, obstruction of the pancreatic duct by gallstones in the bile duct, pregnancy, hyperlipidemia, etc. These lead to disorders in pancreatic secretion, resulting in pancreatic juices digesting the pancreas itself and leaking into the abdominal cavity, leading to symptoms such as abdominal effusion. It is classified as severe pancreatitis based on reaching a certain score in some assessments. Severe pancreatitis often accompanies dysfunction of organ systems, common examples include acute respiratory distress syndrome characterized by stubborn hypoxia and respiratory failure, acute renal failure shown by anuria or oliguria, and acute gastrointestinal failure, which manifests as high abdominal pressure and severe intestinal motility disorders, including abdominal distension.

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What to do if acute pancreatitis recurs for the second time?

If acute pancreatitis recurs for the second time, it should still be treated as acute pancreatitis. This means conservative treatment is possible, including gastrointestinal decompression, fasting, rehydration, anti-shock measures, administering pain relievers and antispasmodics, along with certain drugs that inhibit pancreatic secretion. Additionally, provide some nutritional support and symptomatic antibiotic treatment. Some traditional Chinese medicine can also be consumed. If non-surgical conservative treatment is ineffective, surgical treatment options may be considered. Fundamentally, the treatment methods are the same as those used for the first episode of pancreatitis, and specific decisions should be made based on the condition of the disease.

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What can be eaten during the recovery period of acute pancreatitis?

Patients with acute pancreatitis in the recovery phase should start to eat some sugary liquid diets, beginning with easily digestible sugary foods. Generally, it is recommended to transition from liquid to semi-liquid diets, and then to a normal regular diet. However, patients with acute pancreatitis in the recovery phase should still avoid overeating and consuming too greasy foods. They should also abstain from alcohol and avoid eating overly fatty foods such as meat fried noodles, fried rice with eggs, and braised pork. These foods should be largely avoided, while increasing the intake of protein-rich foods for the patient.

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What are the causes of acute pancreatitis?

There are many causes of acute pancreatitis. Common primary causes include improper diet: overeating, alcohol consumption, preference for spicy or rich foods, etc. Additionally, hyperlipidemia and cholelithiasis are also reasons, along with surgical trauma such as cholangiography, gastrectomy, etc. Other diseases can also lead to acute pancreatitis, such as hypercalcemia, diabetic coma, hyperparathyroidism, rheumatism, necrotizing vasculitis, etc.; viral infections can also cause pancreatitis, and long-term use of medications can cause acute inflammation, such as tetracycline, corticosteroids, etc. Acute pancreatitis initially presents with severe, acute abdominal pain, commonly in the left, upper middle quadrant, and occasionally radiating to the back. Subsequently, vomiting, fever, and in severe cases, shock may occur. Acute pancreatitis is a type of acute abdomen and can be life-threatening. If symptoms occur, it is crucial to seek immediate hospital treatment.

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Is a second recurrence of acute pancreatitis serious?

Acute pancreatitis recurring for the second time is quite serious, as recurrent episodes of pancreatitis can lead to worsened conditions. Particularly after the second recurrence, there may be continuous damage to the pancreatic cells, leading to possible pancreatic fibrosis, and even severe complications such as pancreatogenic diabetes and pancreatic pseudocysts following substantial necrosis of the pancreas. Therefore, for recurrent pancreatitis, it is essential to adopt an aggressive treatment approach, aiming for early diagnosis and timely control measures. This can allow for comprehensive and effective treatment of pancreatitis, salvaging some damaged pancreatic cells, which might be more meaningful for the patient's prognosis. Thus, in cases of a second recurrence of acute pancreatitis with severe complications, active interventions including surgical treatment and other emergency measures should be pursued.

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What IV fluids should be administered for acute pancreatitis?

If the diagnosis confirms acute pancreatitis, venous medication generally involves the use of proton pump inhibitors to suppress gastric acid, which also helps reduce the secretion of pancreatic enzymes. Meanwhile, to prevent infection, antibiotics can be used appropriately. Medications that reduce pancreatic secretion, such as octreotide or somatostatin, can be considered, as well as drugs that inhibit pancreatic enzyme activity. Since patients with pancreatitis must abstain from food and water intake, it is important to pay attention to energy intake and maintain electrolyte balance. Once acute pancreatitis is confirmed, it is essential to seek hospital treatment as this condition can be quite dangerous. All mentioned medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.