Pancreatitis Medical Terms

Pancreatitis Medical Terms to Know

To be able to talk with your Doctor and better understand what he/she is saying and be able to communicate your questions it is a good idea to know the lingo.  Here are a few definitions that should help along with definitions along with the source of the definition.

Pancreatitis

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/pancreatitis

“Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, an organ that is important in digestion. Pancreatitis can be acute (beginning suddenly, usually with the patient recovering fully) or chronic (progressing slowly with continued, permanent injury to the pancreas).”

Pancreas

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/pancreas

 “a large, elongated, racemose gland lying transversely behind the stomach, between the spleen and duodenum. Its external secretion contains digestive enzymes. One internal secretion, insulin, is produced by the beta cells, and another, glucagon, is produced by the alpha cells. The alpha, beta, and delta cells form aggregates, called islands of Langerhans.”

Lipase Test

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Lipase+Test

“The lipase test is a blood test performed to determine the serum level of a specific protein (enzyme) involved in digestion. Lipase is an enzyme produced by the pancreas, which is a large gland situated near the stomach. Lipase works to break down a certain type of blood lipid (triglycerides) into fatty acids. Lipase appears in the blood together with another enzyme called amylase following damage to or diseases affecting the pancreas. It was once thought that abnormally high lipase levels were associated only with diseases of the pancreas. Other conditions are now known to be associated with high lipase levels, especially kidney failure and intestinal obstruction.
Diseases involving the pancreas, however, produce much higher lipase levels than diseases of other organs. Lipase levels in pancreatic disorders are often 5-10 times higher than normal.”

Amalase http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/amylase+test

“a determination of serum amylase, which is useful in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and after operations in which the pancreas might have been injured. The Somogyi sarcogenic method is often used, and the results are given in Somogyi units. . .”

Bile Acid

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/bile+acid

“a steroid acid of the bile, produced during the metabolism of cholesterol. On hydrolysis, bile acid yields glycine and choleic acid.”

Pancreatic Duct

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Pancreatic+ducts

“the main excretory duct of the pancreas, which usually unites with the common bile duct before entering the duodenum.”

h2>Pancreatitis Medical Terms

These pancreatitis medical terms are important to know when you talk to your Doctor so that you understand and can better communicate with them.

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  • Lovely just what I was searching for.Thanks to the author for taking his time on this one.

  • really impressed! everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. it contains truly information. your website is very useful. thanks for sharing. looking forward to more!

  • I think that all the information that you are giving on here for everything under the sun that has to deal with pancreatitis is so very informative. What I would love to know is, how do I find the right Dr who specializes in depression with pancreatitis? I live in Fraser Michigan and have a hard time finding one who will help with pain meds, depression and so on. Please help me as I have been suffering with chronic pancreatitis, colitis, IBS, depression and anxiety for over 30 years now. I need a pain management Dr who can offer me help in all of these areas and not be afraid to treat me for lack of knowledge. I sincerely hope to hear from you asap.

    • I wish there was an easy answer to your question but unfortunately there isn't. Doctors tend to be so specialized that it's hard to find someone who can treat the variety of symptoms that you describe. You have to be a pro-active patient and search out the people that you need to help you. You are probably going to need separate Doctors for the Pancreatitis and the depression and anxiety. Just make sure that they know what is going on with you in all areas and are willing to talk to each other to figure out how best to treat you.

  • Chronic pancreatitis, which typically develops after multiple episodes of acute pancreatitis, is a long-term condition that can last for months or even several years.

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