What is the Difference Between Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Acute and chronic pancreatitis are two different forms of pancreatitis, which is the inflammation of the pancreas. The main differences between acute and chronic pancreatitis are as follows:
- Duration: Acute pancreatitis is a temporary condition that occurs when the pancreas attempts to recover from a minor, short-term injury. It typically lasts for a few days and most people recover completely with supportive care, such as rest, hydration, and pain relief. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, is a long-term, progressive condition that does not go away and gets worse over time.
- Symptoms: The symptoms of acute pancreatitis include severe upper abdominal pain, abdominal pain that extends to the back and shoulders, yellowing of the skin, tender abdomen, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Chronic pancreatitis may have similar symptoms, but they are broader and may include abdominal pain, indigestion, unexpected weight loss, oily, smelly stools, jaundice, and the development of diabetes.
- Causes: Both acute and chronic pancreatitis can be caused by various factors, including alcohol consumption, reactions to some medicines, complications from infections, complications from surgery, pancreatic cancer, injury to the abdomen, and a condition called pancreas divisum. However, acute pancreatitis is often caused by a specific, short-term injury, while chronic pancreatitis is caused by ongoing damage or injury to the pancreas.
- Treatment: The treatment for acute pancreatitis consists of IV fluids, medication to manage pain, and identification and treatment of the underlying cause. Chronic pancreatitis treatment may involve dietary changes, pain management, and taking enzymes to improve digestion.
It is essential to diagnose the underlying cause of the inflammation in both types of pancreatitis, as unchecked inflammation may lead to long-term damage or other complications.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis? Comparative Table: Acute vs Chronic Pancreatitis
Comparative Table: Acute vs Chronic Pancreatitis
Here is a table comparing the differences between acute and chronic pancreatitis:
Feature | Acute Pancreatitis | Chronic Pancreatitis |
---|---|---|
Definition | Active form of pancreatitis, symptoms come on suddenly | Persistent long-standing inflammation of the pancreas, lasting for months |
Symptoms | Severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, excessive thirst | Constant or regular bouts of stomach pain, pain may not go away completely or may come and go |
Duration | Symptoms last for a few hours to days | Symptoms remain persistent for months |
Causes | Excessive alcohol consumption, gallstones, infections, medications, genetics, injuries to the abdominal section | Similar causes as acute pancreatitis, but may also involve recurrent acute pancreatitis |
Complications | Less likely to cause long-term damage | Can lead to long-term damage, such as fibrosis or scarring on the pancreas |
Diagnosis | Blood tests revealing high levels of pancreatic enzymes | Similar symptoms and risks as acute pancreatitis, but may also involve recurrent acute pancreatitis |
It is essential to be aware of these differences to better understand the nature of each condition and seek appropriate medical attention.
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