Intravenous (IV) Therapy At Patients Medical we can create an IV therapy protocol to specifically address your medical and lifestyle needs, from nutrition supplementation and treatment of migraines, to respiratory ailments, chronic conditions, and many more.
Anti-Aging and Longevity Treatments Remember when you were in college and stayed up all night drinking beer, eating pizza, and partying; yet you still were able to attend class in the morning? How many of you could do that now?
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach that produces enzymes to help digest food and hormones to regulate blood sugar levels. Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic. Acute pancreatitis is a sudden onset of severe pain in the upper abdomen, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fever. Chronic pancreatitis is a long-term inflammation of the pancreas that leads to permanent damage to the organ and can cause abdominal pain, weight loss, and diabetes. The causes of pancreatitis can be varied, some of the most common causes are gallstones, heavy alcohol consumption, and certain medications. Treatment for pancreatitis depends on the underlying cause, and can include pain management, hospitalization, and surgery.
Pancreatitis can be caused by a variety of factors. Some of the most common causes of acute pancreatitis include:
Other causes of acute pancreatitis include:
Chronic pancreatitis is caused by long-term inflammation of the pancreas, which causes permanent damage to the organ. The most common cause of chronic pancreatitis is prolonged heavy alcohol consumption, but other causes of chronic pancreatitis include:
It is worth mentioning that in some cases of pancreatitis the cause is not found, even after extensive testing, it is named idiopathic pancreatitis.
Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach that produces enzymes to help digest food and hormones to regulate blood sugar levels. The pancreas has two main types of cells: exocrine cells, which make up most of the pancreas and produce enzymes to aid in digestion, and endocrine cells, which make up a small portion of the pancreas and produce hormones such as insulin and glucagon.
Pancreatic cancer can occur in both types of cells, but the most common type of pancreatic cancer is called adenocarcinoma, which starts in the exocrine cells. This type of cancer can form a tumor in the pancreas, or it can grow as a ductal carcinoma, which begins in the cells lining the ducts that carry enzymes from the pancreas to the small intestine.
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include abdominal pain, weight loss, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), loss of appetite, and weakness. Pancreatic cancer is typically diagnosed in its later stages, which makes it difficult to treat. The 5-year survival rate is around 10%. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. It is worth mentioning that smoking, age, and family history are some of the most common risk factors for pancreatic cancer.
The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is not well understood, but several risk factors have been identified that increase a person's chances of developing the disease. Some of the most significant risk factors for pancreatic cancer include:
It is worth mentioning that certain exposures to chemicals like pesticides and certain types of jobs like working in metal or petroleum industries also increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer can be difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms may not appear until the cancer has advanced. If a person has symptoms that may be caused by pancreatic cancer, a doctor will typically order a series of tests to confirm the diagnosis. Some of the tests commonly used to diagnose pancreatic cancer include:
Once a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is confirmed, further tests may be done to determine the stage of the cancer (how advanced it is) and to help plan the appropriate treatment. These tests may include additional imaging tests such as a positron emission tomography (PET) scan or angiography.
Pancreatic pain is usually felt in the upper part of the belly (abdomen), often radiating to the back. The pain can be intense and can be described as a dull or sharp ache. Some people may experience a burning sensation or a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen. The pain may be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever, and a rapid heartbeat.
In acute pancreatitis, the pain usually comes suddenly and is severe. It can be severe enough that it may require hospitalization. The pain usually starts in the upper abdomen and may spread to the back and chest. It is often described as steady and gnawing, like a dull ache or a burning sensation.
In chronic pancreatitis, the pain is often described as a dull, achy pain that can last for extended periods of time. It may be made worse by eating and drinking and can be relieved by leaning forward. The pain is often accompanied by weight loss and indigestion.
It is important to note that pancreatic pain can also be caused by other conditions, such as peptic ulcer disease or gallstones, so it is essential that a person experiencing abdominal pain see a doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Yes, pancreatitis can affect bowel movements. Acute pancreatitis can cause several gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Inflammation of the pancreas can disrupt the normal functioning of the organ, which can lead to malabsorption of nutrients, causing diarrhea and steatorrhea (excess fat in stools), and abdominal distention, this is since the pancreas produces enzymes that help in the digestion of food, so when the pancreas is inflamed, it may produce less enzymes.
In chronic pancreatitis, the damage to the pancreas can cause malabsorption and malnutrition, which can lead to diarrhea and weight loss. This can cause the stool to be pale, oily, and bulky, and may have a strong, foul odor. Additionally, the damage of the pancreas can cause fibrosis (scarring) that affects the ability to release the enzymes, which can lead to difficulty in digesting fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, this can cause diarrhea and malabsorption as well.
It is worth mentioning that since the pancreas is close to the bile duct and the sphincter of Oddi, which controls the flow of bile and pancreatic juice, an obstruction in the flow can cause biliary and pancreatic duct stones and distal obstruction of the ducts, in turn, causes the feces to be pale and clay-colored, this is a symptom known as steatorrhea.
It is important to note that if you are experiencing any changes in your bowel movements, it is important to consult with a doctor to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment.
In acute pancreatitis, the stool may appear normal, but in some cases, it can be pale, or clay colored. This is because inflammation of the pancreas can disrupt the normal functioning of the organ, which can lead to malabsorption of fats. When fats are not absorbed properly, it can cause a condition called steatorrhea, which results in excess fat in the stool. This excess fat can cause the stool to appear pale, greasy, and foul-smelling. Additionally, since the pancreas also produces enzymes that aid in the digestion of food, an inflamed pancreas may produce less of these enzymes, resulting in undigested food in the stool.
In chronic pancreatitis, the damage to the pancreas can cause malabsorption and malnutrition, which can lead to diarrhea, weight loss, and can make the stool pale, oily, and bulky, and may have a strong, foul odor.
It is worth mentioning that the color of the stool can be influenced by several factors such as the diet, medications, or some other medical condition, so if you are experiencing changes in the color of your stool, it is important to consult with a doctor to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment.
The warning signs of pancreatitis can vary, but the most common symptoms include:
It is important to keep in mind that some of these symptoms may be caused by other conditions, so if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent more serious complications. It is also worth mentioning that some people with pancreatitis may have no symptoms at all, and the condition is found during testing for another condition.
The first step in treatment is to stabilize the pancreas. This usually means a hospital stay and includes fasting, treatment of potential infection, pain medication, rest, and IV fluids to prevent dehydration.
Depending on the cause of pancreatitis, treatments may also include surgery to remove any underlying issues such as damaged tissue, blocked bile ducts, or gall stones. If the underlying cause is alcoholism, the treatment will take that into consideration as well.
Chronic pancreatitis treatment may also include long term pain management, IV to aid in the body's digestion and to prevent malnourishment, and changes to diet and lifestyle.
Our job at Patients Medical is to connect the dots between a patient's medical history, symptoms, and their underlying causes. Patients Medical is a superb place for people to secure integrative and holistic health care from providers who give personalized care, partner with the patient to focus on the root cause of their illness, support their recovery, and help them maintain good health.
For those that can make the journey, we are happy to welcome new patients to our medical center in New York City. Fill out the form at the top of this page, or call us at 1-212-794-8800. We are here to listen and to help.
We are located at: Patients Medical PC, 1148 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1B New York, NY 10128.