Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis often develops as a secondary condition following biliary tract diseases, overeating, or excessive alcohol consumption. Patients typically experience significant symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. A systematic treatment approach is required, and the key diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines include the following aspects:

Implementing fasting and gastrointestinal decompression is crucial.
Patients must be instructed to remain nil by mouth, and in some cases, a nasogastric tube may be placed for continuous gastric decompression. This helps minimize stimulation of pancreatic secretion caused by eating. Continuous drainage of digestive fluids outside the body also helps alleviate bloating, which can otherwise impair respiratory function if severe.

Effective infection control is essential during treatment.
Patients with acute pancreatitis are at risk of developing intra-abdominal infections, which can progress to septic shock in severe cases. Therefore, comprehensive anti-infective therapy should be administered systematically to prevent complications and support recovery.

Nutritional support and mucosal protection play a vital role.
Intravenous nutritional support is necessary to maintain adequate caloric intake while the pancreas heals. Additionally, medications that suppress glandular secretion and protect the gastrointestinal mucosa should be included as part of symptomatic management. These interventions help reduce further damage and promote healing of the digestive tract.

Following these structured protocols significantly improves patient outcomes and reduces the risk of complications associated with acute pancreatitis.