Acute pancreatitis explained: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis

Hello everyone, and welcome to my channel. In this video we will talk about a series condition: acute pancreatitis.
Acute pancreatitis is a sudden, severe inflammation of the pancreas.There are many causes for acute pancreatitis, but here are some of them.
Gallstones: The most common cause, where gallstones block the ampulla of Vater, causing pancreatic enzyme backup and inflammation.
Alcohol Consumption: Responsible for 25-35% of cases (long-term or binge drinking), thought to increase pancreatic enzyme production and promote autodigestion.
Elevated Triglycerides: Levels exceeding 1000 mg/dL (or sometimes 300 mg/dL in metabolic issues) are significant. While triglycerides themselves aren't toxic, their breakdown into fatty acids by pancreatic lipases causes lipotoxicity and contributes to inflammation.
How does this disease manifest ?
The most characteristic symptom is a band-like pain in the upper abdomen, often radiating to the back. It can also present as diffuse abdominal pain, frequently accompanied by nausea, vomiting (often non-food content), or bowel disturbances like loose stools.
How can we set the diagnosis ?
Diagnosis requires at least two of three criteria:
Suggestive Symptoms: Such as the characteristic abdominal pain.
Suggestive Laboratory Tests: Elevated pancreatic enzymes, specifically lipase or amylase, at least three times the upper limit of normal. Lipase is generally preferred due to earlier elevation, longer duration, and higher sensitivity in alcohol-induced cases. Elevated inflammatory markers (e.g., C Reactive Protein) and other altered lab results (liver enzymes, bilirubin, triglycerides, calcium) may also be present depending on the cause.
Suggestive Imaging:
Abdominal Ultrasound: Useful for diagnosing biliary pancreatitis, showing gallstones, ductal dilation, or periductal edema.
Contrast-Enhanced Abdomino-pelvic CT Scan: The most sensitive method for detecting acute pancreatitis, revealing organ enlargement, peripancreatic fluid, fluid collections, and necrosis.!

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Chapters:

00:00 Intro - Study case for acute pancreatitis
03:30 Anatomy and physiology of the pancreas
04:40 What is acute pancreatitis
04:48 Causes of acute pancreatitis
07:43 Manifestations of acute pancreatitis
08:00 How to diagnose Acute pancreatitis ?

Here are more questions this video will provide:

Tips to understand better acute pancreatitis
What is acute pancreatitis ?
How acute pancreatitis will manifest ?
Acute Pancreatitis signs and symptoms ?
How to diagnose Acute pancreatitis ?
What causes acute pancreatitis ?
Anatomy and physiology of the pancreas
Pancreas functions