1. Pancreatitis Understood
An inflammation of the pancreas is called pancreatitis. The pancreas is a gland located near the stomach and gall bladder. The function of the pancreas is to produce and make hormones and enzymes used in digestion. If the pancreas is damaged, your body's production of insulin will be affected and result in diabetes. If there is long-term swelling of the pancreas, you may experience diarrhea, weight loss, deficiency of certain vitamins, as well as diabetes.
2. Autoimmunity Explained
An autoimmune disease happens when the mechanism in the body's own immune system attacks itself. Autoimmune diseases happen more to women than to men. These attacks can happen at any time and the symptoms vary greatly from person to person. Symptoms of this disorder can come and go, with sometimes no symptoms happening for a while and then suddenly a "flare-up" occurs. Most treatment modalities help to control symptoms, and the choice of treatment depends upon the severity and type of symptom that presents.
3. Treatment Options: Pain Control
Autoimmune pancreatitis cannot be cured. Treatment focuses on control of the symptoms associated with the disorder such as pain. If mild pain is the chief complaint, over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen (i.e., Motrin and Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be safely used. If the pain is unrelieved by these medications, a narcotic such as dilaudid or Percocet can be given. In some very rare instances, pain can be caused by blocked ducts, which would then require surgery to clear the ducts or perhaps even removing part of the pancreas to alleviate any pain.
4. Maintaining Digestive Health
If digestion becomes a problem, supplemental enzymes for digestion can be given in capsule or pill form. As an adjunct, your doctor may tell you to follow a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet along with restricting various types of fats. After digestion problems are addressed and treated, diarrhea resolves and weight gain follows.
5. Diabetes Control
If diabetes develops, it can be treated with diet modification to help keep blood sugar levels stable. In those cases where diet alone is not enough, insulin can be given as well as medications that can be taken in pill form to control blood sugar levels.
