The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach and next to the small intestine. The pancreas does two main things:
It releases powerful digestive enzymes into the small intestine to aid the digestion of food.
It releases the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. These hormones help the body control how it uses food for energy.
Pancreatitis is a disease in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. Pancreatic damage happens when the digestive enzymes are activated before they are released into the small intestine and begin attacking the pancreas.
There are two forms of pancreatitis: acute and chronic.
Causes
Eighty percent of cases of pancreatitis are caused by alcohol or gallstones. Gallstones are the single most common cause of acute pancreatitis. Alcohol is the single most common cause of chronic pancreatitis. Some medications are commonly associated with pancreatitis.
Other common causes include trauma, mumps, autoimmune disease, high blood calcium, hypothermia, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Pancreas divisum is a commoncongenital malformation of the pancreas that may underlie some recurrent cases. Diabetes mellitus type 2 is associated with a 2.8-fold higher risk
Acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation that lasts for a short time. It may range from mild discomfort to a severe, life-threatening illness. Most people with acute pancreatitis recover completely after getting the right treatment. In severe cases, acute pancreatitis can result in bleeding into the gland, serious tissue damage, infection, and cyst formation. Severe pancreatitis can also harm other vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
Chronic pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis is long-lasting inflammationof the pancreas. It most often happens after an episode of acute pancreatitis. Heavy alcohol drinking is another big cause. Damage to the pancreas from heavy alcohol use may not cause symptoms for many years, but then the person may suddenly develop severepancreatitis symptoms.
SYMPTOMS
Signs and symptoms of pancreatitis may vary, depending on which type you experience.
Acute pancreatitis signs and symptoms include:
Upper abdominal pain
Abdominal pain that radiates to your back
Abdominal pain that feels worse after eating
Nausea
Vomiting
Tenderness when touching the abdomen
Chronic pancreatitis signs and symptoms include:
Upper abdominal pain
Losing weight without trying
Oily, smelly stools (steatorrhea)
HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH
Homoeopathic remedies administered at right time without delay can bring back a healthy pancreas. Inflammation is moreover easy to be treated with homoeo remedies. Even the unbearable pains can be brought under the control of homoeopathic medicines in a few minutes; but medicines are no way pain killers. Homeopathy is safe. Unlike other medicines, homeopathic medicines usually do not have any side effects. The reason for this is that homeopathic medicines act by stimulating the body`s own defense mechanism and healing powers. They do not have any chemical action, so they do not have the potential to cause any sustained damage. Symptomatic improvement can be noticed within few days of treatment.