Pancreatic Problem Specialist in Indore | Treatment of Pancreas Related Digestive Problems Expert
The pancreas is important in digestion and in controlling blood sugar. It makes digestive enzymes that help the body break down food and hormones, like insulin, that control blood glucose. Symptoms of pancreatic problems can include persistent abdominal discomfort, severe pain, vomiting, digestive issues, jaundice, and unexpected weight loss, especially when the pancreas is inflamed, blocked, damaged, or impacted by another medical condition.
If you experience recurrent upper abdominal pain, pain that travels to your back, nausea, vomiting, unexplained weight loss, greasy stools or other persistent digestive problems, you should see a Pancreatic Issue Specialist in Indore to find out the cause and get the right treatment.
Shivaay Gastro & Diabetes Institute offers the Gastroenterology Consultation Service in Indore to the patients suffering from Pancreatic and Digestive Disorders. Dr. Amol Patil offers the treatment of Pancreas and Gastrointestinal Disorders.
The pancreas lies deep in the abdomen, behind the stomach. It is not a large organ, but it does have two major functions.
First it releases digestive enzymes into the intestine to aid in the digestion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Second, it produces hormones that help control blood glucose levels.
These functions mean that pancreatic disease can affect digestion and metabolism.
If a patient is suffering from symptoms of inflammation, reduced pancreatic function, obstruction, cyst formation or any other pancreatic disorder, he/she may need to be examined by a Pancreas Specialist in Indore.
Diseases of the pancreas are not one disease. Disorders can affect pancreatic tissue, ducts, enzyme production, and surrounding structures in many ways.
Acute pancreatitis is an acute inflammation of the pancreas. The main symptom is frequently severe upper abdominal pain that can radiate to the back. You may also have a fever, nausea, vomiting, a fast heart beat, and tenderness in your abdomen. Acute pancreatitis can be serious and often needs urgent medical care.
Chronic pancreatitis is long-term inflammation and damage to the pancreas. People can experience recurrent or persistent pain in the upper abdomen, digestive problems, weight loss, diarrhea or stools that are greasy and foul-smelling. Eventually, the condition can affect the body’s ability to digest nutrients and can lead to diabetes.
Pancreatic cysts are pockets of fluid that may grow in or on the pancreas. Many are incidental findings on imaging performed for another indication. Cysts can be harmless or have different levels of clinical importance, with some needing further evaluation or monitoring.
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, or EPI, is a condition in which the pancreas is not producing enough digestive enzymes to properly digest food.
Symptoms can include:
• Abdominal bloating • Stomach ache
• Diarrhea
• Gas oversupply
EPI can be caused by pancreatitis and various other pancreatic diseases.
The pancreas can also develop abnormal growths. Not every pancreatic lesion is cancer. But unexplained symptoms like constant abdominal or back pain, weight loss, loss of appetite, or jaundice need to be evaluated by a doctor, not self-diagnosed.
Pancreatic disease can cause different symptoms depending on the underlying condition and its severity.
Some common warning signs are:
• Pain in the upper stomach • Pain that radiates to the back
• Pain that increases after eating
• Nausea that doesn't go away
• Recurrent vomiting
• Tenderness in the abdomen
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Tummy pain
• Often loose stools
• Stools that are pale or greasy
• Yellow skin
• Dark urine
• Unexplained fatigue
Abdominal and back pain, nausea, weight loss, greasy stools and jaundice are well recognized features of a number of pancreatic and pancreatic-biliary disorders.
These symptoms may also be signs of other diseases of the digestive system. So a correct diagnosis is important before you assume the pancreas is the problem.
A little indigestion here and there is not always a sign of pancreatic disease. But some symptoms should not be ignored repeatedly.
If you have, see a gastroenterologist:
• Chronic or recurrent upper abdominal pain • Abdominal pain that spreads to your back • Vomiting repeatedly • Significant unexplained loss of weight
• Oily or greasy stools that continue
• New problems with digestion that last for weeks • History of prior pancreatitis • Cyst of the pancreas seen on ultrasound, CT, or MRI
• Yellow skin
Abnormal pancreatic enzyme lab tests
Acute pancreatitis is a very serious disease and should be evaluated urgently especially if the abdominal pain is severe or with recurrent vomiting or fever.
There is no single test that can identify all pancreatic diseases. A Gastroenterologist for Pancreatic Problems in Indore may start by assessing the symptoms, medical history, medicines, past illnesses, and family history of the patient.
Diagnosis: May require combination of laboratory and imaging investigations.
Blood testing might be useful to evaluate pancreatic enzymes and other parameters depending on what you suspect .
Doctors typically diagnose pancreatitis by reviewing a person’s medical history, physical exam, lab tests and imaging studies, then search for a cause.
An abdominal ultrasound may be used to look for gallstones or other problems with the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, or pancreas.
A CT scan can give you detailed images of the structures in the abdomen and may be helpful in your assessment of inflammation, complications, masses or other abnormalities of the pancreas.
MRI and MRCP can provide detailed information about the pancreas, pancreatic ducts, bile ducts, and surrounding tissues.
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a combination of endoscopy and ultrasound imaging that enables a detailed evaluation of the pancreas and the surrounding structures.
It can be especially helpful in some cases for pancreatic cysts, lesions or abnormalities that need detailed assessment.
It is important to know the cause of pancreatitis as future management might depend on it.
Gallstones are a frequent cause of acute pancreatitis, while chronic pancreatitis is strongly associated with long-term heavy alcohol use. Other causes such as smoking, genetic conditions, autoimmune diseases, certain medications and others can also contribute to chronic pancreatic disease.
In some patients there is no obvious immediate cause and further investigation may be necessary.
The pancreatic and gall bladder drainage systems are closely related.
Occasionally, gallstones can pass into a bile duct and block the opening of the pancreatic secretions. This may lead to inflammation of the pancreas, which is why gallbladder assessment may be part of the diagnostic process when pancreatitis is suspected.
Maintaining a normal weight may help reduce the risk of gallstones, which are known to be a major risk factor for pancreatitis.
Cells that make digestive enzymes can be slowly damaged by repeated or long-standing inflammation of the pancreas.
If enough enzyme is not produced, food may not be digested or absorbed properly.
This may lead to:• Fatty stools • Diarrhea • Gas
• Weight loss
• Deficiencies in nutrition
• Difficulty keeping weight on
Chronic pancreatitis results in maldigestion, malabsorption, nutritional problems and impaired pancreatic function.
Some patients require specialist assessment and pancreatic enzyme replacement or nutritional management.
The pancreas is directly involved in blood glucose regulation because it is the organ that produces insulin.
When the pancreas is damaged severely, it may not make hormones properly. Some patients may develop diabetes. Diabetes development is associated with conditions such as chronic pancreatitis.
Therefore, pancreatic disease sometimes requires monitoring of both digestive function and blood glucose levels.
The treatment depends entirely on the diagnosis.
Treatment for acute pancreatitis may require hospitalization. Treatment can include supportive care, fluids, pain control, nutritional support, and treatment of the underlying cause.
Treatment may be directed toward controlling pain, improving nutrition, aiding digestion, controlling diabetes if present, and treating the underlying cause or complications.
Some patients may not secrete sufficient digestive enzymes and may require further work-up and treatment with pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy when indicated.
Some cysts are visible and some may require additional imaging, endoscopic assessment, sampling or treatment depending on their features and clinical risk.
No single treatment will work for all pancreatic conditions, so diagnosis is a must before treatment.
Lifestyle changes won’t prevent all pancreatic diseases, but there are some habits that can lower avoidable risk.
People who have had pancreatitis are generally told to avoid alcohol, as the more you’re exposed to it, the more it can damage the pancreas.
Smoking is related to chronic pancreatitis and is another modifiable factor that should be addressed.
Maintaining a normal weight can help prevent gallstones and improve your overall metabolic health.
The dietary recommendations will be based on whether the patient has acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, enzyme deficiency, diabetes, gallstones or any other condition. We like tailored advice as opposed to restrictive diets without medical advice.
Some pancreatic diseases develop slowly, while others may suddenly turn severe.
Pancreatic disorders can affect: Symptoms that persist should be investigated.
• Digestion • Absorption of nutrients
• Weight
• Blood glucose
• Drainage of bile
• General gastrointestinal function
Early investigation can help to establish what is actually causing the symptoms and whether treatment, monitoring, further testing or specialist intervention is required.
1. If you have pancreatic problems, who should you see?
A gastroenterologist often assesses pancreatic conditions such as pancreatitis, pancreatic cysts, pancreatic enzyme deficiency, and other digestive disorders related to the pancreas.
2. What are the signs of early pancreatitis?
The main symptom is pain in the upper abdomen, which may spread to the back. Acute pancreatitis can also cause fever, nausea and vomiting, rapid heart rate, and tenderness in the abdomen.
3. Can weight loss be caused by pancreatic problems?
Yes. Chronic pancreatitis and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency can interfere with the normal digestion and absorption of nutrients, which can cause unexplained weight loss.
4. Are pancreatic cysts dangerous?
Nope. Many pancreatic cysts are benign, and some are discovered incidentally. However, different types have different risks, so careful imaging and specialist assessment is important.
Do not dismiss ongoing upper abdominal pain, recurrent pancreatitis, unexplained weight loss, greasy stools, pancreatic cysts or abnormal pancreatic test results. A gastroenterology evaluation can help identify if symptoms are coming from the pancreas or another part of the digestive system and guide the next steps in care.
Dr. Amol Patil also provides the facility of consultation for evaluation & management of pancreas related & gastrointestinal conditions at Shivaay Gastro & Diabetes Institute.
Contact Us Today Book An Appointment Get proper assessment for pancreatic and digestive health issues in Indore.
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