What is autoimmune pancreatitis?

Autoimmune pancreatitis is a rare condition that causes chronic, gradually deteriorating abdominal pain and gastrointestinal disorder. This happens when the body's immune system incorrectly attacks otherwise healthy tissue in the pancreas, leading to irritation, inflammation and scarring. Doctors do not fully understand why autoimmune pancreatitis occurs, but has been associated with other autoimmune disorders such as irritable colon syndrome. Corticosteroids are usually effective in controlling the immediate symptoms of autoimmune pancreatitis, but since the condition cannot be cured, problems are likely to be repeated. If the organ is threatened due to chronic inflammation and scarring, one can experience stomach cramps, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Over time, calcium and other minerals can accumulate in the pancreas and form stones. Calcified stones can cause blocks in pancreatic channels and lead to potentially life -threatening infections. The doctor first asks about the use of alcohol, the familial anamPancreatic cancer and current medication regimes to narrow the search for the cause. Blood tests are carried out to check autoantibodies and increased number of white blood cells and computer tomographic scanning is used to study the physical appearance of the pancreas. The physician may also decide to collect a sample of pancreatic tissue using an endoscope to find cancer symptoms.

autoimmune pancreatitis is diagnosed if it is clear that alcoholism, cancer and other common causal factors are not responsible for symptoms. Many patients also suffer from an irritable bowel syndrome, cirrhosis a non -stinged autoimmune problem that helps doctors confirm diagnosis. In mild cases, treatment involves the course of corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and prevent the scarring of the tissue. Patients who drink alcohol or smoke are instructed to stop reducing the chances of deterioration of their conditions. UsuallyThey also design specialized exercises and low -fat diet plans.

surgery may be necessary if the symptoms become serious. The surgeon can use endoscope and specialized tools to cut off damaged tissue, clear obstacles in the pancreatic channel and drain the excess fluid. In advanced cases, open surgery may be required to place a support stent in the pancreatic channel or to remove part of the damaged organ. Most operations are successful in alleviating symptoms and prolonging patient lives for several years, but autoimmune pancreatitis often returns despite therapeutic effort.