How many live with pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas characterized by destruction of its exocrine and endocrine tissue and its replacement by fibrous scars. Most cases of inflammation are caused by chronic alcoholism. The process is almost always progressing even when patients stop taking alcohol. To the question: How many live with pancreatitis? It is impossible to answer monosyllables. Many factors that affect longevity should be considered.

is safe to say that living with diseases of the pancreas fails sufficiently productively and actively, if you treat the health to the disease with respect.

The role of the pancreas

The pancreas is small, in the form of a leaf of a willow. It is located behind the stomach, it can be found just below the chest.

The pancreas has two important functions :

• produces digestive juices that are used in the intestine to help digest food;
• produces powerful chemicals called hormones, which have a significant effect on all cells in the body.

Insulin is the most important hormone produced by the pancreas, as it regulates the level of sugar( glucose) in the blood.

Types pancreatitis

There are two types of pancreatitis:

• Acute pancreatitis. The pancreas becomes inflamed for a short period. Inflammation occurs after a few days.
• Chronic pancreatitis. Inflammation of the pancreas for many years, as a result of which it becomes more and more damaged. Chronic pancreatitis can often develop after multiple episodes of acute pancreatitis.

How often does chronic pancreatitis occur?

Chronic pancreatitis is a rarity. It is estimated that 45 people out of 100,000 men and 12 people out of 100,000 women have chronic pancreatitis.

The disease is mainly detected in men aged 40 to 50 years. Long-term alcohol abuse is a determining risk factor for the development of chronic pancreatitis. Long-term alcohol abuse( the period lasts many years) is believed to account for 70% of all cases of chronic pancreatitis.
Forecast

The prognosis for chronic pancreatitis depends on a number of factors. The most important are:

1. Age of the person when the diagnosis was made.
2. Anamnesis of the disease and frequency of human consumption of alcohol.
3. The state of the pancreas. How strong are the organ damage and whether the symptoms of diabetes.

For example, a 20-year-old man with a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis who does not have a history of drinking alcohol has good prospects and can live very long. Its natural lifespan should not be affected.

The lifespan of a 50-year-old man with chronic pancreatitis and a long history of alcohol abuse can be reduced from 10 to 20 years. This is because living with the pancreas, which does not function properly is difficult, it creates an additional burden on the body.

What affects life expectancy?

When faced with any disease, a person tries to present their prospects. They are concerned with issues related to the further quality of life and its duration. Can I live with pancreatitis and for how long?

No doctor will not give you an accurate prediction, due to the fact that the patient can and should take responsibility for the preservation of their health.

Of course, statistics are maintained during long-term observations and indicators can roughly predict the fate of patients.

Factors affecting life expectancy in pancreatitis :

1. Type of pancreatitis( acute or chronic).Acute attacks of inflammation are much more likely to lead to death than the chronic course of pancreatitis. If the disease is severe, then mortality can reach 30%, with the development of pancreatic necrosis, the figure is already increased to 50%.The cause of death of half of patients in the first days is the inability of many organs to cope with acute inflammation of the pancreas. Cardiovascular insufficiency develops, the kidneys do not cope with toxin withdrawal - renal failure, etc.
2. The severity of the disease. Determining factor. It is important how much the gland is affected and how the body and its general condition copes with inflammation.
3. Complications of pancreatitis. The second week, as a rule, reveals all possible complications: bleeding, infection, rupture pseudocysts or intestinal obstruction. Mortality increases dramatically in elderly patients and can reach 20%.Acute pancreatitis in mild form leads to the death of only 2% of patients. The life expectancy of patients with pancreatitis in mild form with adequate treatment is no different from that of other people. And you can live with such a disease almost without changing your lifestyle. The stage of remission allows to significantly slow down the destructive processes in the pancreas.
4. Age of the patient.
5. Adequate and qualitative treatment.
6. Compliance with the patient's prescription.
7. Diet.
8. Refusal from alcohol and tobacco smoking.

Pancreatitis refers to diseases that can be controlled and prevented from developing. Yes, the disease can worsen, but the patient must adhere to strict compliance with the doctor's recommendations.

In addition to medical treatment and compliance with the rules of nutrition, you should remember about mental and physical health, the need to avoid stress and to undergo scheduled inspections in time. Living with pancreatitis can be long and it largely depends on the patient himself.

Useful video about acute pancreatitis