Pancreatitis in Denver, CO
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Find a ProviderWhat is pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis results when the pancreas becomes inflamed and is inhibited from carrying out its vital jobs. A large gland in the abdominal region, the pancreas facilitates the digestive process. It releases important digestive enzymes into the small bowel to help digest food, and it also excretes the hormones insulin and glucagon into the blood circulatory system, which help the body to manage the way it processes sugar for fuel.
Pancreatitis might develop in various forms. The acute form of pancreatitis involves the abrupt, brief swelling of the pancreas. Often, acute pancreatitis completely resolves with the proper type of treatment. The chronic type of pancreatitis typically arises more gradually and may be longer-lasting. Instances of chronic pancreatitis are usually associated with heavy alcohol intake.
If you or someone you love is experiencing pancreatitis, trusted treatment can be received at Colorado Gastroenterology. Our board-certified gastroenterology physicians offer pancreatitis treatment in Denver, CO.
What are the causes and symptoms of pancreatitis?
Cases of pancreatitis develop when the digestive substances called enzymes are activated too early and start to irritate and attack the pancreas. The main causes of pancreatitis are included below:
- Certain medications
- Injury or trauma
- Smoking cigarettes
- Infection
- Abdominal injuries
- Family history of pancreatitis
- High triglyceride levels in the blood
- Autoimmune conditions
- Cystic fibrosis
- Abdominal surgery
- Metabolic disorders
- Gallstones
- Overactive parathyroid gland
- Pancreatic cancer
- Alcohol consumption
- High amount of calcium
Symptoms could occur when the pancreas becomes irritated. Common symptoms of pancreatitis are:
- Oily, foul-smelling stools
- Increased heart rate
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Upper abdominal pain
- Upper abdominal pain that radiates to the back, particularly after eating
- The abdomen is tender to the touch or swollen
In the event you need treatment for pancreatitis in Denver, CO, we urge you to get in touch with our GI team without delay.
What are the treatments for pancreatitis?
Treatment for acute pancreatitis generally entails pain medications, IV fluids, and fasting to rest your pancreas. When pancreatitis is advanced enough, a surgical approach might be necessary to get rid of the necrotic or damaged tissue if an infection occurs. When acute cases of pancreatitis are caused by gallstones, the condition might be treated with surgery to remove the gallbladder. Our skilled providers at Colorado Gastroenterology can recommend the ideal treatment approach.
Treatment methods for chronic pancreatitis treatment may entail:
- Pancreas surgery
- Administration of enzymes to improve digestive processes
- Low-fat diet
- Avoid smoking
- Treatment for alcohol dependence
- Diet modifications – usually low fat
- Procedures to treat bile duct blockages
- Stop drinking alcohol
- Insulin
To learn more about how different treatments can benefit you, contact our experienced team in our Denver, CO office. We look forward to helping you learn about pancreatitis so that you can get quality treatment.
Specialists in pancreatic treatment
Should you or a loved one be diagnosed with pancreatitis, you want to trust your care to an experienced gastrointestinal physician. Whether it involves an acute or chronic case of pancreatitis, the GI doctors at Colorado Gastroenterology can deliver the medical care you seek. We are dedicated to serving with patient-centric compassion while following the highest standard of clinical care. To partner with a gastrointestinal specialist offering pancreatic care in Denver, CO, please reach out to our practice today.
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