Pancreatitis Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ
Answers FAQ
Pancreatitis FAQs
Reviewed by John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP, on September 13, 2018
Test your Knowledge!
- Pancreatitis is inflammation of an organ in the abdomen called the pancreas. True or false?
- What does the pancreas do?
- What causes pancreatitis?
- What is the main sign of pancreatitis?
- How is pancreatitis treated?
- What home remedies can treat pancreatitis?
- Pancreatitis life threatening? True or false?
- Pacreatitis can be cured in most cases. True or false?
- Pancreatitis can be prevented. True or false?
- Pancreatitis causes pancreatic cancer. True or false?
- Improve your Health I.Q. on Pancreatitis
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Q:Pancreatitis is inflammation of an organ in the abdomen called the pancreas. True or false?
A:True.
Pancreatitis is defined as inflammation of the pancreas, an organ located in the upper mid-abdomen. If pancreatitis is sudden and only lasts a short time, it is referred to as acute pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis is long lasting and may worsen over time and can result in permanent damage.
Q:What does the pancreas do?
A:The pancreas is part of the digestive system.
It secretes enzymes that help the body break down foods, and it also releases hormones such as insulin so the body can convert food into energy.
Q:What causes pancreatitis?
A:The most common cause of pancreatitis is gallstones.
Other causes and risk factors for pancreatitis include:
Other common causes of pancreatitis include:
Q:What is the main sign of pancreatitis?
A:The main sign of pancreatitis is pain in the upper mid-abdomen.
This pain may range from mild to severe, it may have a sudden onset or it may develop slowly, and the pain may spread across the upper abdomen and into the back.
Other symptoms of pancreatitis can include:
Chronic pancreatitis symptoms may also include diarrhea and weight loss.
Q:How is pancreatitis treated?
A:If acute pancreatitis is mild, it may go away on its own without treatment.
But in more serious cases, treatments for both acute and chronic pancreatitis can include IV fluids, medications, and possibly surgery depending on the cause of the pancreatic inflammation.
Q:What home remedies can treat pancreatitis?
A:For mild pancreatitis, dietary and lifestyle changes may help relieve some symptoms.
Pancreatitis usually requires medical treatment, as complications can be serious and life threatening.
Patients should talk to their doctor to see if vitamin or enzyme supplementation is needed.
Q:Pancreatitis life threatening? True or false?
A:False.
The majority of cases of acute pancreatic will resolve with treatment. According to the National Pancreas Foundation, about 15% of patients with acute pancreatitis will later develop severe disease that can lead to infection and multiple organ failure, which can be fatal.
Chronic pancreatitis is a long-lasting condition but it is usually not fatal.
Q:Pacreatitis can be cured in most cases. True or false?
A:True. Acute pancreatitis can be cured in most cases when treated promptly and appropriately.
However, chronic pancreatitis is long-lasting inflammation and damage and cannot be cured.
Q:Pancreatitis can be prevented. True or false?
A:False. Pancreatitis cannot totally be prevented, but you can take steps to minimize risk factors.
Q:Pancreatitis causes pancreatic cancer. True or false?
A:False.
Pancreatitis does not cause pancreatic cancer, but it is a risk factor as patients with chronic pancreatitis are three times more likely to develop pancreatic cancer.
In patients whose chronic pancreatitis is due to an inherited genetic mutation, the risk of developing pancreatic cancer is much greater.
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