Pancreatitis and Peptic Ulcer - Essay Example

Pancreatitis and Peptic Ulcer Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, while a peptic ulcer is an open sore in the lining of the stomach or duodenum. The two diseases have different causal factors, symptoms, possible complications and modes of treatment. Pancreatitis and Peptic Ulcer. Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, an organ which releases digestive enzymes and hormones that become active when they reach the small intestine. When these enzymes become active in the pancreas itself, they eat through the pancreatic tissue, damaging the organ and its blood vessels.

This is called pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is caused by autoimmune problems, damage to the pancreas, blockage of the pancreatic ducts, hypertriglyceridemia, certain medications, complications of certain diseases and viral infections. The symptoms of pancreatitis include upper or middle abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, sweating, weight loss, jaundice and clay-colored stools. Pancreatitis complications include kidney failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pacreatitis cysts, heart failure and low blood pressure.

Pancreatitis is treated through fasting, intravenous fluids, pain medication, removal of blockages and gallstones, draining of fluid in pancreas and diet regulation. (PubMed Health). A peptic ulcer is an open sore in the lining of the stomach (gastric ulcer), the duodenum (duodenal ulcer), or sometimes in the oesophagus (esophageal ulcer). When the mucuos membrane which protects the alimentary canal from digestive juices and acids is damaged, stomach acids penetrate the sensitive lining underneath, causing an ulcer.

Peptic ulcer is caused by the bacterium, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which is transmitted through contaminated food and water, and spreads through contact witth the stool, vomit and saliva of infected persons. Petic ulcers are also caused by the long-term use of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and stomach tumors. The symptoms of peptic ulcers are abdominal pain, loss of weight and appetite, and vomiting. Complications include peritonitis, internal bleeding and blockage of the alimentary canal.

Treatment of peptic ulcers consists of antibiotics to eradicate H. pylori and acid reducing medicines. (NDDCH).References. Pancreatitis. 2010. A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. PubMed Health. Retrieved fromhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002129/H. pylori and Peptic Ulcers. 2012. National Digestive Diseases Clearing House (NDDCH). Retrieved fromhttp://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hpylori/