Acute Pancreatitis:
Symptoms of Acute Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas and can occur with severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and an elevated white blood cell count. Other symptoms may include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), abdominal tenderness, and an enlarged pancreas.
Diagnosing Acute Pancreatitis
Your doctor may use the following tests to diagnose acute pancreatitis:
• CT scan: An imaging test that takes pictures of your internal organs.
• Blood tests: To check for signs of infection, inflammation, and damage to the pancreas.
• Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): A procedure that uses sound waves to create images of your pancreas.
• Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP): An imaging test that takes pictures of your pancreas and surrounding organs.
• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): A procedure that uses a camera to look inside your pancreas.
• Biopsy: A procedure that involves taking a sample of tissue from your pancreas to check for infection or inflammation.
Chronic Pancreatitis:
Symptoms of Chronic Pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis is a long-term inflammation of the pancreas. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, and oily stools. You may also experience jaundice, diabetes, and abdominal swelling.
Diagnosing Chronic Pancreatitis
Your doctor may use the following tests to diagnose chronic pancreatitis:
• CT scan: An imaging test that takes pictures of your internal organs.
• Blood tests: To check for signs of infection, inflammation, and damage to the pancreas.
• Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): A procedure that uses sound waves to create images of your pancreas.
• Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP): An imaging test that takes pictures of your pancreas and surrounding organs.
• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): A procedure that uses a camera to look inside your pancreas.
• Biopsy: A procedure that involves taking a sample of tissue from your pancreas to check for infection or inflammation.
