Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that can occur suddenly or cause chronic, progressive damage. Acute episodes may resolve, while chronic disease can impair digestion and hormone production.

Pancreatic autodigestion: Damage to pancreatic tissue caused when digestive enzymes become active within the pancreas. Premature enzyme activation is a central pathway of tissue injury in acute pancreatitis.
Cholelithiasis: The formation or presence of gallstones in the gallbladder or biliary tract. A stone obstructing the shared outlet of the bile and pancreatic ducts can trigger an acute attack.
Revised Atlanta classification: A framework that classifies acute pancreatitis by severity, complications, and phases of illness. It distinguishes mild disease from cases involving organ failure or local complications.
Pancreatic cancer: A group of malignant tumors arising in the pancreas. A pancreatic mass can mimic inflammation, and unexplained pancreatitis may warrant evaluation for malignancy.
Trypsin: A digestive enzyme that breaks down proteins and activates other pancreatic enzymes. Its premature activation can initiate the enzyme cascade that damages pancreatic tissue.
Alcohol use disorder: A pattern of alcohol use that causes significant impairment or distress. Sustained heavy alcohol exposure is a major cause of chronic pancreatitis and can precipitate acute episodes.
Acute pancreatitis: A sudden inflammatory episode of the pancreas, ranging from mild illness to severe organ failure. This is the short-term form, diagnosed and managed according to its severity and complications.
Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder, commonly caused by gallstones obstructing its outlet. It can cause similar upper-abdominal pain but affects the gallbladder rather than the pancreas.
Pancreatic acinar cell: A pancreatic cell that produces and secretes digestive enzymes. Acinar-cell stress and injury contribute to inflammation and abnormal enzyme activation.
Hypertriglyceridemia: An abnormally high concentration of triglycerides in the blood. Severe elevations can trigger acute pancreatitis, especially when levels exceed 1,000 mg/dL.

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