Pancreatitis Treatment in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is pancreatitis treatment?
Pancreatitis treatment is the care given when the pancreas, the gland behind the stomach that makes digestive juices and insulin, becomes inflamed. Acute pancreatitis comes on suddenly and is treated in hospital. The pancreas heals best when the body is well hydrated, pain is controlled and nutrition is kept going, so treatment supports the body while the inflammation settles.
Treatment has two parts running side by side. The first is supportive care during the attack. The second is finding and dealing with the cause, which is what prevents the next attack. At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, pancreatitis care is led by the Gastroenterology team.
Who needs it
Pancreatitis treatment is for people with a confirmed or suspected attack of pancreatitis. The typical picture is severe, constant pain in the upper tummy that often spreads through to the back, with nausea and vomiting. Leaning forward sometimes eases it a little.
The common causes are:
- Gallstones. A small stone passing out of the gallbladder can briefly block the duct the pancreas drains through.
- Alcohol, usually after regular heavy drinking over time.
- Very high triglycerides (blood fats), which are more likely with poorly controlled diabetes, a pattern seen often in the UAE.
- Some medicines, which your doctor reviews one by one.
- Less common causes, including a procedure on the bile ducts, injury and inherited conditions.
Chronic pancreatitis is a different, long-term condition in which repeated inflammation gradually scars the pancreas. People with chronic pancreatitis also need ongoing specialist follow-up.
What happens
Diagnosis rests on the pain pattern and a blood test for pancreatic enzymes. A level at least three times the upper limit of normal, together with typical pain, confirms acute pancreatitis. An ultrasound of the gallbladder looks for gallstones, and is usually one of the first tests done (abdominal imaging). A CT scan is kept for when the diagnosis is uncertain or a severe attack needs a closer look.
Hospital treatment usually includes:
- Intravenous fluids through a drip, given carefully and adjusted to your blood tests and urine output.
- Pain relief, given regularly so you can rest and breathe comfortably.
- Early nutrition. Current practice is to start eating a light, low-fat diet as soon as the pain and nausea allow. If eating is delayed, liquid feeding through a fine tube into the stomach keeps the gut working.
- Close monitoring of breathing, kidneys, blood sugar and blood salts.
Severe pancreatitis can affect the lungs, kidneys and circulation. Patients who need that level of support are cared for in the Critical Care and ICU department.
Treating the cause follows. If a gallstone is stuck in the bile duct, ERCP, an endoscopic procedure, may be used to clear it. After gallstone pancreatitis, removing the gallbladder is usually advised, often during the same admission or soon after, because the stones that caused one attack can cause another. Gallbladder removal is carried out by the general surgery team. Very high triglycerides are brought down with diet, diabetes control and medicines that lower blood fats.
Preparing for it
Acute pancreatitis is usually treated as an emergency admission, so preparation is mostly about giving the team the full picture. Tell them about every medicine and supplement you take, how much alcohol you drink, any past gallstones or ultrasound reports, and whether you have diabetes or high cholesterol.
For a planned follow-up visit after an attack, bring your discharge letter, scan reports and blood results. A relative who knows your history is helpful at both stages.
Afterwards
Recovery after a mild attack is usually steady, and your doctor will give you a timeline for your case. Eating returns gradually, starting with small, low-fat meals. Stopping alcohol completely is advised after alcohol-related pancreatitis, and stopping smoking helps the pancreas heal. Shisha counts as smoking.
In the UAE heat, drink water steadily through the day, since dehydration puts extra strain on a recovering pancreas. If you plan to fast during Ramadan, discuss it with your gastroenterologist first, and choose a light iftar over a large, fatty meal.
For chronic pancreatitis, long-term care may include medicines taken with meals to replace digestive enzymes, monitoring for diabetes, and pain management. Nutrition advice comes from your gastroenterologist, and a specialist dietetic plan can be arranged by referral.
Go to the emergency department straight away for severe upper tummy pain that spreads to the back, especially with vomiting. Contact the hospital urgently if you develop fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, breathlessness, or pain that returns after you go home.
Cost and insurance
Most UAE health insurance plans cover emergency admission for pancreatitis, including blood tests, imaging and intensive care where needed. Planned procedures such as ERCP and gallbladder removal usually require insurance pre-approval. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the risks of pancreatitis?
Most attacks of acute pancreatitis are mild and settle with hospital care, but a severe attack can cause dehydration, breathing and kidney problems, infection or fluid collections around the pancreas. This is why every patient is monitored closely and some need intensive care. Your doctor will explain the realistic outlook for your situation.
Does a higher enzyme level mean the attack is more severe?
No, the level of pancreatic enzymes in the blood confirms the diagnosis but does not show how severe the attack is. Severity is judged from how your breathing, kidneys and circulation respond over the first days, alongside other blood tests.
Why do I need my gallbladder removed after gallstone pancreatitis?
Gallbladder removal is advised because the gallstones that caused one attack can cause another, and a repeat attack can be more serious. The surgical team advises on the timing, which is often during the same admission or soon after recovery.
Can I eat with pancreatitis?
Yes, in most cases you can start a light, low-fat diet as soon as your pain and nausea settle, because early eating helps the gut and the pancreas recover. If you are unable to eat for longer, liquid feeding through a fine tube may be used.
Can pancreatitis come back?
Acute pancreatitis can return if the cause remains, which is why finding and treating the cause matters as much as treating the attack. Removing gallstones, stopping alcohol and controlling blood fats and diabetes all lower the chance of another episode.
Is chronic pancreatitis the same as acute pancreatitis?
No, chronic pancreatitis is long-term scarring of the pancreas after repeated inflammation, while acute pancreatitis is a sudden attack that usually heals. Chronic pancreatitis can affect digestion and blood sugar and needs regular specialist follow-up.
Can I fast during Ramadan after pancreatitis?
Discuss fasting with your gastroenterologist before Ramadan, because the answer depends on how recent the attack was, its cause and whether you have diabetes. If fasting is agreed, drink plenty of water between iftar and suhoor and keep meals light and low in fat.
Is pancreatitis treatment covered by insurance?
Most UAE insurance plans cover emergency hospital care for pancreatitis, while planned procedures such as ERCP and gallbladder removal usually need pre-approval. Confirm your cover with Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777.
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