Symptoms and Causes of Pancreas Failure

Below, your trusted gastroenterologist in Los Angeles will highlight the biggest symptoms and causes of pancreas failure that you should be aware of. If you are worried that any of the following information may apply to you or your loved one, get in touch with a pancreatic specialist ASAP.

Biggest Causes of Pancreas Failure

Multiple causes can lead to the development of acute pancreatitis. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ones that your doctor will look for pending a pancreas failure diagnosis:

Gallstones

A gallstone can cause acute pancreatitis, blocking the drainage channel shared by the pancreas (and the gallbladder). This blocks the normal flow of pancreatic enzymes and can cause pancreatitis.

Alcohol Use

Acute pancreatitis can result from prolonged alcohol consumption. Although it remains unclear how alcohol can cause pancreatitis there exist theories. Namely, that alcohol could end up converted into chemicals that harm the pancreas or block the pancreatic drain.

Heavy alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of pancreatitis. However, it is still possible to develop pancreatitis even if you don’t consume very much alcohol on a regular basis.

Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis can be a genetic disorder that affects the function of certain glands. It causes the body to produce secretions from the pancreas that can block the gland altogether. Cystic fibrosis can increase the likelihood of chronic pancreatitis in certain situations.

Symptoms of Pancreas Failure

Depending on the cause of pancreatitis, symptoms can show up in a number of different ways. Typically, symptoms of severe pancreatitis include:

• Lethargy/lack of focus
• Physical weakness
• Fever or chills
• Abdominal pain
• Pain in the lower back
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sensitivity and tenderness of the stomach to the touch

If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you should visit your pancreatitis specialist for treatment right away. You can meet with a doctor one-on-one to come up with a personal plan that works just for you.

How to Treat Pancreas Failure

Pancreatitis usually warrants a trip to the hospital, and management techniques can vary depending on the severity of the illness. If gallstones are to blame, they will be surgically removed. Medication may prove needed to stop the constant pain that comes from acute pancreatitis.

Again, the treatment of this disease can be very different depending on the original cause. Those suffering from alcoholism may need to enter a rehabilitation program while being exposed to different types of medications. It’s important to establish a personal relationship with your doctor so you can determine what kind of health regimen will work best for pain reduction and long-term health. In most cases, it is possible for pancreatitis to go away completely.

Prevent Pancreas Failure Today

If you have stomach pain that won’t go away and you are feeling tired, anxious, nauseous, and weak, it is possible that you could be experiencing the symptoms of pancreatitis. Pancreas failure remains a very serious issue that should end up treated as quickly as possible. Visit the office of Dr. Tabib today and learn more about how you can invest in top-notch pancreatitis treatment in Los Angeles when you get in touch with our specialist team. This is something that is too serious to delay; visit us at the first signs of pancreatic issues.

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Habits that are Dangerous for Your Pancreas

It is important to keep this organ in good health. Experts from your local gastroenterology clinic in LA want to inform you of the biggest habits that are dangerous for your pancreas and how to avoid pancreatic failure.

High Cholesterol

Your doctors have probably told you in the past that you should avoid a high-cholesterol diet. But why? Foods with high cholesterol counts have a very significant chance of increasing your risk of acute pancreatitis. Too much cholesterol turns into bile in your stomach, which can overwhelm the digestive system and eat away at nutrients before they can be absorbed by your body. Foods such as whole milk dairy products and fatty foods can put you at a higher risk.

Crash Diets

Have you ever dropped everything and started a brand-new diet on a whim? If this diet is especially restrictive, it may do much more harm to your body than good. Crash diets that make you lose weight really quickly will do damage to your liver. Your liver cannot respond to the weight loss quickly enough and will therefore produce too much cholesterol, which in turn become gallstones stuck in your pancreas.

Smoking

Everyone knows that smoking cigarette products is an unhealthy habit. But it puts you at risk for more than just lung cancer. In fact, research has shown a significant link between smoking and acute pancreas problems. One study, following someone who smoked one pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years, showed that the subject had more than double the risk of cancer and pancreatitis compared to those who don’t smoke.

Drinking

Alcohol can also do some major damage to your body. Alcohol is responsible for putting you at risk for many different gastroenterological diseases, from liver failure to pancreatitis. After all, alcohol is a poison that creates toxicity in the digestive system, wreaking havoc on the body. Oftentimes, alcohol-related illness and damage to the digestive organs cannot be reversed. It is important to moderate your drinking in order to stay in good health.

Over-Medicating

There is nothing wrong with taking an Aspirin when you have a headache or using medications as prescribed. However, if you find yourself taking lots of over-the-counter medications to ease pain and relieve symptoms, you might be doing irreversible damage to your pancreas and your liver. Be especially careful of medications that include thiazides, sulfonamides, corticosteroids, estrogens, and azathioprine. These ingredients increase the risk of pancreatitis.

Prevent Pancreas Problems

You can prevent further issues by steering clear of the above habits. You can prevent pancreatitis and lower your risk by:

• Managing your weight and not losing or gaining weight too fast
• Reducing the amount you smoke and trying to quit
• Limiting yourself to just one or two drinks per day
• Indulging in a more well-rounded diet that is free of carbohydrates

Get in touch with our gastroenterologist at your earliest convenience to learn how you can prevent pancreatitis and other serious issues.

Create Your Own Health Plan Today

If you have issues or suspected issues with the pancreas or liver, it is important to reach out to your local gastroenterology clinic right away. We can set you on your own personal plan to achieve the best pancreatic treatment Los Angeles has to offer. Reach out today and learn how to take preventative measures before you have to deal with permanent pancreatic damage. Invest in your better health today!

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