Acute Pancreatitis
Mr. Walker, based on your lab results, my assessment and the information you provided about the sharp pain in your right upper belly, we suspect you have pancreatitis. The pancreas is a large organ behind the stomach that works to help digest the food we eat. It houses the islets of Langerhans that have four types of hormone secreting cell that help to control our body’s blood sugar (Huether & McCance, 2014). Pancreatitis is one of the most common diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreatitis happens when there is a blockage or swelling in the pancreas, when this happens, enzymes that digest our food are not able to move through the pancreatic duct as a result, the enzymes will start to attack the pancreas which will lead to Pain, N/V. lightheaded and other symptoms that you described. the most common cause of this blockage is gallstones (Tenner et al, 2013). Although, Alcohol and other conditions such as, medications, infectious disease, or metabolic causes can also be responsible. We are going to order an endoscopic ultrasound to look for inflammation and blockage in your pancreatic duct, An MRI to check for abnormalities in your pancreas in addition to some lab works to examine your lipase and Amylase. These tests will confirm pancreatitis.
Treatments
If the tests confirm you have pancreatitis, we will have not eat or drink anything by mouth, fluid hydration will be provided and will administer analgesic for pain your relieve. A cholecystectomy could be performed if the cause of pancreatitis is believed to be Billiary, enteral feeding will be provided, low fat diet would be initiated as pain and symptoms resolves.
- Mr. walker, compliance to treatment is extremely important because we want to prevent repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis
- Avoid spicy or gas-producing foods.
- take all your medications as ordered even when you feel better,
- we suggest you give us a call if your temperature is 100.4°F (38.0°C) or higher.
- Severe pain from your upper belly to your back
- Nausea and vomiting
- Feely dizzy or lightheaded
- Shallow, fast breathing
- Unexplained bruises in right upper quadrant to abdomen
We suggest you avoid tobacco and alcoholic beverages as this could complicate your illness. Even small amounts of these products could cause serious attack.
We will like you to follow up in two weeks.
Thank you for trusting us with your care.