When you get a sudden attack of pain in the upper belly, your pancreas may be inflamed, a condition known as pancreatitis. At Houston Gastrointestinal & Liver Clinic, P.A, Dr. Sreelatha Reddy and her team use their vast experience to diagnosis, treat, and prevent pancreatitis, ensuring you recover as quickly as possible. If you live in or near Sugar Land, TX and are concerned about either acute or chronic pancreatitis, contact the board-certified gastroenterologist known for her compassionate and professional team. Call Dr. Reddy’s office today or use the online booking tool to schedule your appointment.
If you have sudden, unexplained, and severe pain in the middle of your upper abdomen that radiates through to your back, you may have pancreatitis, or inflammation of your pancreas. The pain may worsen when you eat and doesn’t seem to go away, regardless of what you do. Other symptoms may accompany the pain of pancreatitis, including:
In cases of chronic pancreatitis, the inflammation damages your pancreas, causing scar tissue. This can impact your pancreas’s ability to make insulin and results in diabetes. It also impacts how you digest food and can cause complications like nutrient deficiencies and weight loss.
While many different conditions can lead to pancreatitis, the two most common causes are gallstones and excessive alcohol use.
Other causes of acute pancreatitis are:
When it comes to chronic pancreatitis, the causes are similar. Most cases result from excessive alcohol consumption, heavy smoking, and a recurrent case of acute pancreatitis.
When you have acute pancreatitis, the team at Houston Gastrointestinal & Liver Clinic, P.A, works to reduce the inflammation and relieve your symptoms. Depending on the severity of your condition, Dr. Reddy and her team may recommend letting your pancreas rest by having you fast and giving you IV fluids. If your pancreatitis results from drinking, she recommends strict abstinence from alcohol.
For cases of pancreatitis caused by gallstones, Dr. Reedy and her team may suggest surgically removing your gallbladder. If a gallstone blocks your bile duct, you may need an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to remove the gallstone. This procedure uses a thin tube, inserted through your mouth, to remove the stone.
In some cases of chronic pancreatitis, you may need enzyme supplements to help you digest food. When the condition causes severe, unmanageable pain, Dr. Reddy and her team may recommend surgically removing your pancreas.
Whether you think you have an acute case or you’ve been struggling to control chronic pancreatitis, Dr. Reddy can help. Call Houston Gastrointestinal & Liver Clinic, P.A, today or go online to schedule your initial consultation.
Dr. Reddy is a specialized gastroenterologist that sees patients for endoscopy, cancer screening and more located in Sugarland, Texas and Houston, Texas. Call us to book your appointment today.
