What is Gallstone Pancreatitis?

Gallstone pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas gland becomes inflamed by a gallstone that obstructs the gallbladder. Gallstones occur when bile thickens with cholesterol to form small, hard stones. These stones get caught in the gallbladder bile ducts, causing pain to radiate to the nearby pancreas gland. Acute pancreatitis should not go untreated, as it usually does not clear up on its own and may actually result in death.

The group most affected by gallstone pancreatitis are usually overweight, white women over 40 years old. Millions of people have gallstones, but only a small percentage actually suffer pain from them. Signs of pancreatitis include pain in the upper right area of the abdomen and back pain. The pain can be severe and may cause vomiting, nausea, appetite loss and fever. People can also go into shock if they do not receive timely treatment.

There are certain foods that can worsen the symptoms of pancreatitis. These foods may include pork, poultry, eggs, onions, dairy products, nuts and coffee. Eliminating these foods may decrease the production of bile, which will lessen the chance of gallstone formation. Bland foods that are low in fat and acid are good choices for people who form gallstones.

There are several hypotheses as to why gallstone pancreatitis occurs. One thought is that bile may seep into the pancreas. Another hypothesis is that some people are genetically predisposed to gallstone formation due to a weak sphincter of Oddi. Some scientists believe that food allergies may contribute to gallstone formation as well.

Treating this disease usually requires a combination of changing one's diet and taking medication. Some people choose to fast for a day or two to give the gallbladder a chance to relax. They may choose to take in nutrition via a gastric tube during this time. If there is inflammation, then the patient may need to take antibiotics to kill an infection. Changing one's diet to eliminate triggering foods can also be effective.

Some people only have one or two gallstone attacks in their lifetimes, while others suffer constantly. Gallbladder removal is one choice for people who form many gallstones. The fatality rate for people with pancreatitis is very low, but the pain can be crippling. If pancreatitis is untreated, the patient can go into shock and have organ failure, which can lead to death. Managing gallstone pancreatitis might be a lifelong effort, depending on the severity of the disease.