Acute pancreatitis

Clinical Nutrition
Lesson 21: Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is characterized by a hyper metabolic state where energy expenditure increases by 14 – 49%. The patient goes into negative nitrogen balance. Severe abdominal pain is brought about by eating. Malabsorption accompanied by nausea and vomiting, Diabetes Mellitus and fever. There is necrosis of the acinous cell of the pancreas which secretes the digestive enzymes. The enzymes produced therefore escape into interstitial tissues leading to edema and inflammation. Fibrosis and calcification of the pancreas occurs. The levels of serum lipase and amylase increase and this is a test to identify pancreatitis.

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Last modified: Saturday, 5 November 2011, 8:59 AM