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Pancreatitis pain treatment · St. Louis

Pancreatitis Pain Treatment

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. Its pain can spread from the upper belly into the back. Beyond medicine, enzymes and a low-fat diet, Padda Institute treats acute and chronic pancreatitis pain with a celiac plexus block. It is an outpatient procedure of up to one hour, so you go home the same day.

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Call (314) 481-5000Text (314) 886-5902

Same-day and emergency appointments are available.

What is pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach and near the first part of the small intestine. The pancreas sends digestive juices into the small intestine through a tube called the pancreatic duct. Pancreatitis mostly happens when digestive enzymes start digesting the pancreas itself. The illness can be acute (sudden) or chronic (long-lasting), based on how severe the case is. Either form is serious and can lead to problems. So proper pancreatitis treatment is a must. Acute Pancreatitis comes on almost suddenly, but it can be treated in a few days.

Pancreatitis Pain Treatment

Pancreatitis Pain Causes and Symptoms

Causes of Pancreatitis Pain

Pancreatitis can start when digestive enzymes switch on while they are still inside the pancreas. They irritate the cells of the pancreas and cause inflammation. When acute Pancreatitis keeps coming back and the symptoms turn severe, it can lead to chronic Pancreatitis. The illness causes digestive problems and diabetes.
The main problems that lead to Pancreatitis are:

Pancreatitis Pain Treatment

Severe Injuries in Abdomen

Pancreatitis Pain Treatment

Some medications

Cluster Headache Treatment

Anxiety

Pancreatitis Pain Treatment

Infection

What are the symptoms of pancreatitis?

Symptoms vary from patient to patient, based on how severe the case is.

Migraine Headaches

Nausea

Migraine Headaches

Vomiting

Changes in Skin Color

High Pulse

Pancreatitis Pain Treatment

Abdominal Pain

What are the complications of pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis can lead to serious problems. These may include:
Infection: Acute pancreatitis can weaken your pancreas. Then bacteria can easily take hold and cause disease. These infections are serious and may need surgery in the end to remove the infected tissue.

Kidney Failure: Acute pancreatitis can also cause kidney failure. If the problem lasts, it can be treated with dialysis.

Pancreatic Cancer: The inflammation from chronic Pancreatitis may lead to pancreatic cancer. The long-lasting condition causes ongoing illness.

Malnutrition: Acute and chronic Pancreatitis can lead to poor nutrition, weight loss, and diarrhea. With either form, the pancreas can make fewer of the enzymes you need to break down and use the food you eat.
Breathing Problem: Acute pancreatitis can lower the oxygen level in your blood. It can harm the lungs.

Diabetes: Pancreatitis can damage the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. In time that leads to diabetes, which raises your blood sugar.

When To See A Doctor?

It is fairly rare for Pancreatitis to need emergency care right away. But get emergency care when:

  • You have severe Pain in your belly, and trouble sitting keeps going.
  • You have trouble controlling your bowels, and there is a stool problem.
Women Sitting

Effective Treatment Options To Relieve Pancreatitis Pain

Reach out to us today to book a visit. Our experts are here to help you find relief from pancreatitis pain.

Call Us : 314-481-5000

How is pancreatitis pain treated?

Medicine may help control pancreatitis pain and give short-term relief. With chronic Pancreatitis, patients who make too few enzymes may get man-made digestive enzymes. Patients with severe infections may need surgery if other treatments do not work well. If gallstones are found, surgery is needed to remove them. The surgery removes the dead parts of the pancreas and any infection. At Padda Institute, we offer the celiac plexus block to diagnose and treat acute & chronic Pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer. The procedure usually takes up to one hour. It is an outpatient procedure, so you may go home the same day.

What foods should you avoid with pancreatitis?

A low-fat, healthy, balanced diet is key to pancreatitis treatment. Patients need to watch how much fat they eat. You may avoid some foods:

Fried Food

Fried Food

Pancreatitis Pain Treatment

Beverages

Pancreatitis Pain Treatment

Alcohol

Pancreatitis Pain Treatment

Desserts

Send A Message

For questions and concerns, please fill out the form below.

Prefer not to fill in a form?

Call (314) 481-5000Text (314) 886-5902

Same-day and emergency appointments are available.

What Our Patients Say

Individual results vary. These are unpaid patient testimonials shared with permission and are not a guarantee of outcome. See all patient stories.

Frequently Asked Questions

The pain might start slowly or suddenly. It can range from mild to severe. It can spread from the upper belly into the back.

You cannot fully prevent pancreatitis. But some steps can lower your risk, such as,
  • Maintaining healthy weight
  • Avoiding alcohol and smoke
  • Regular exercise

With acute pancreatitis, mild symptoms usually clear up with time. But based on the cause of the inflammation, more severe cases of acute or chronic pancreatitis may need IV fluids, medicines, and even surgery.

Gallstones are the most common cause of pancreatitis. Other risk factors include:
  • Belly injury
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • A family history of pancreatitis
  • Genetic disorders
  • Smoking and alcoholism

Pancreatitis does not directly cause pancreatic cancer. But it is a risk factor. People with chronic pancreatitis have a threefold risk of getting that cancer.

In most cases, acute pancreatitis can be cured with fast, proper treatment. But there is no cure for chronic pancreatitis. It causes long-lasting inflammation and damage.

Several things work together. Medicine can take the edge off for a while. People with chronic pancreatitis who make too few digestive enzymes may take replacement enzymes. A low-fat, balanced diet that limits fried food, alcohol, desserts and certain drinks lowers the load on the pancreas. When pain lasts, we do a celiac plexus block. It is an outpatient procedure of up to one hour, and you go home the same day.

The pancreas is a large gland that sits behind the stomach, near the first part of the small intestine. Its pain is usually felt in the upper belly. It often spreads straight through into the back. It can start slowly or suddenly and range from mild to severe. Nausea, vomiting and a fast pulse can come with it, based on how severe the attack is.

It depends on the type. Acute pancreatitis comes on suddenly. Milder cases usually settle within a few days with treatment. More severe cases may need IV fluids, medicines or surgery, based on the cause. Chronic pancreatitis is different. The inflammation and damage last, and there is no cure. So the goal becomes controlling pain and protecting digestion over the long term.

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At Padda Institute, our pain management specialists & pain specialist doctors provide you the guidance and treatments tailored to your needs. We are best at what we do; we diagnose and evaluate to determine your best treatment plan, so that you can experience chronic pain relief like never before.

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Schedule NowCall (314) 481-5000

Part of our complete guide to Interventional Pain Management in St. Louis.