Treatment Success: A 23-Year-Old Woman Fully Recovers from Pancreatitis with Medication
Summary of the Case: A young woman experienced persistent upper abdominal pain accompanied by nausea and repeated vomiting. After self-medicating without improvement, she sought medical attention at our hospital. Through physical examination, laboratory tests, and an abdominal CT scan, she was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. She was treated with fasting, anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relief, and medication to suppress pancreatic and gastric acid secretion. After one week of hospitalization, her condition improved significantly—her symptoms disappeared, and she was discharged.
Patient Profile: Female, 23 years old
Type of Illness: Acute Pancreatitis
Hospital: The First Hospital of China Medical University
Date of Visit: April 2018
Treatment Plan: Intravenous therapy including Cefoperazone Sodium and Tazobactam Sodium for injection, Somatostatin for injection, Cimetidine Injection, Pethidine Hydrochloride Injection, and Glucose and Sodium Chloride Injection.
Duration: One week of inpatient care
Outcome: Complete resolution of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting; blood indicators showed improvement.
Initial Consultation:
The patient presented with continuous upper abdominal pain that had worsened intermittently over the past day. She also experienced multiple episodes of nausea and vomiting. Prior to visiting our hospital, she had taken over-the-counter medications such as Pipemidic Acid Tablets, Sanjiu Weitai Capsules, and Changweining Tablets, but saw no improvement. Her physical examination revealed a fever (37.6°C), tenderness and rebound tenderness in the left and middle upper abdomen. Laboratory results showed elevated serum amylase levels, and a CT scan confirmed acute pancreatitis. She was immediately admitted for treatment.
Treatment Approach:
Upon admission, I reassured the patient that her condition was manageable and not severe. We initiated a comprehensive treatment plan including fasting, anti-inflammatory therapy, pain management, and suppression of both pancreatic and gastric secretions. She received intravenous antibiotics, somatostatin to reduce pancreatic activity, cimetidine to control stomach acid, pethidine for pain relief, and nutritional support via glucose and saline solution. After one week of treatment, she was cleared for discharge.
Positive Recovery:
Within 24 hours of beginning treatment, her symptoms began to ease. By the end of the one-week regimen, all symptoms—including abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting—had completely resolved. Physical examination confirmed normal body temperature and absence of abdominal tenderness. Blood tests also showed positive trends in key health indicators, allowing for her successful discharge.
Post-Discharge Guidance:
To prevent recurrence and promote full recovery, I advised the patient on several important lifestyle considerations:
Gradual Dietary Transition: Begin with liquid or semi-liquid foods before returning to solid meals to avoid stimulating excessive pancreatic activity.
Dietary Choices: Drink plenty of water and avoid high-fat foods like cakes and fried chicken. Overeating should be avoided to prevent hyperlipidemia-related pancreatitis.
Regular Physical Activity: Engage in moderate exercises such as jogging or playing badminton to strengthen immunity and maintain a healthy weight.
Clinical Insight:
In my clinical experience, many patients come in with acute pancreatitis triggered by gallstones, alcohol abuse, or hyperlipidemia. Often, they delay seeking help due to inconvenience or cost concerns, opting instead for self-medication. However, it's difficult for non-professionals to accurately diagnose such conditions. In this case, the patient initially mistook her symptoms for a common stomach issue. Fortunately, she responded well to timely medical intervention. For others, delays can lead to more serious complications—even requiring surgery. Early diagnosis and proper treatment are crucial for a full recovery.