Pancreatitis Symptoms In Anorexia, Bulimia
What Are The Symptoms Of Pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis symptoms are sometimes chronic, and can be consequences of anorexia and bulimia. Recurrent acute pancreatitis often has no cause. What is pancreatitis, and how does it manifest itself in eating disorders?

Simply put, it is an inflammation of the pancreas.

Anorexia and bulimia cause a imbalance of antioxidant capacity (among other things), and this is what contributes to the inflammation.

"I. G.E.T. S.M.A.S.H.E.D." is the acronym that represents some of the more common causes of pancreatitis symptoms. They are:

• I - Idiopathic - No direct cause can be identified
• G - Gallstones that cause obstruction
• E - Ehtanol - Perhaps due to alcohol poisoning
• T - Trauma, injury
• S - Steroids
• M - Mumps or other viruses
• A - Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus
• S - Scorpion stings, snake bites
• H - Hypercalcemia - too much calcium in the bloodstream
• E - ERCP, a combined endoscopy and fluoroscopy procedure(
• D - Drugs

The above acronym also lists the causes in order according to how often they occur. It's more likely that pancreatic symptoms will have no direct cause than it is to be caused by something like a scorpion sting.

Pancreatitis Symptoms - What Is Pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis symptoms are characterized by severe abdominal pain, which you'll be able to feel all the way through to your back.

This happens in nearly all cases, and sometimes it is the only symptom. This pain may be persistent, or it could come and go.

Other signs of pancreatitis include:

• Fever, chills
• Nausea, vomiting
• High blood pressure (if pain is intense)
• Low blood pressure (may be a sign of internal bleeding)
• Elevated heart rate, rapid pulse
• Tenderness in the abdominal area

Acute Pancreatitis comes on suddenly and has a pretty high mortality rate, despite treatment.

Chronic Pancreatitis is long-standing and usually includes permanent damage.

Recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) is diagnosed when there are repeated attacks of idiopathic acute pancreatitis. It will likely continue to happen until the its cause is treated or cured. RAP is probably the most common type to be found in people with anorexia and bulimia.

Pancreatitis Treatment

There are several options available for pancreatitis treatment, most of which depend on the severity of the condition, as well as the underlying cause.

A few nights in the hospital is usually required because IV fluids and antibiotics are often needed. Medication may also be provided in order to relieve pain.

Fatty meals, smoking, and the consumption of alcoholic beverages are generally not be allowed for several days after discharge.

Your doctor might order an ERCP ("take pictures") of the pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts to see if there are any blockages. Surgery may be necessary in some cases.

As common sense says -- if you have any abdominal pain, or experience any of the above symptoms of pancreatitis, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. He/she should be able to provide you with a complete and accurate diagnosis of your condition.

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