Can smoking increase the risk of getting pancreatitis Health Consultation Description: Can smoking increase the risk of getting pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis questions and answers Health Consultation Description: I just got out of the hospital for acute pancreatitis. Not a pain I ever want to feel again. They did a cat scan, MRI, and endoscopic ultrasound and found nothing that would have caused it. I'm not a big drinker either. The odd thing is that for the last month before the attack, I've really been trying to watch my eating and I've been working out. I've had problems with my digestive system for the last three years and now I'm wondering if I have had Chronic Pancreatitis. It started with gas and diarrhea. Most mornings I have anywhere from 2-4 bowel movements before I leave the house. The first one is usually normal and then it gets watery from there. Every once in a while I have a bout of yellow stool for a couple days. I went to the gastro 3 years ago and he did a colonoscopy and an EGD and he didn't find anything. He told me I had IBS. Could this be related to the pancreatitis? He told me yellow stools don't mean anything but it seems odd that I have them now with this acute attack. When I look up yellow stools it talks about a blockage some where. Could they have missed something? Is there another test that should be done? I don't understand how I got this in the first place. Also, some lymph nodes showed up on the cat scan and MRI in my retroperitoneum. This is the part of the stomach by the pancreas. They were under 10mm on the cat scan but as big as 17mm on the MRI. They want me to see a specialist to determine if one should be biopsied. Now I'm really freaking out thinking I have pancreatic cancer or lymphoma or something else that's even scarier than the pancreatitis. I don't think I could take anymore right now. :-( Has anyone else had lymph nodes show up like this during an attack? I would think they would be enlarged simply because of the pancreatitis.

How is gallbladder cancer diagnosed? Health Consultation Description: How is gallbladder cancer diagnosed?

What is the treatment for gallbladder cancer Health Consultation Description: What is the treatment for gallbladder cancer?

What factors affects the prognosis for gallbladder cancer? Health Consultation Description: The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following

Causes to dark urine, pale stool after gallbladder surgery Health Consultation Description: I had gallbladder removal surgery over a year ago. I have been eating pretty unhealthy for over a year. I have been experiencing the following symptoms for a while..... dark urine, pale coloured stool, body pain, night sweating. Recently I have also been having blood in my stool. Two weeks ago I was very nautious in the middle of the night and threw up a lot. One week ago in the middle of the night I was so nautious I couldn't stand up. I am concerned about my symptoms.

What is choledocholithiasis? Health Consultation Description: What is Choledocholithiasis?

What is the treatment for primary sclerosing cholangitis? Health Consultation Description: What is the treatment for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)?

What are the complications of primary sclerosing cholangitis Health Consultation Description: What are the complications of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)?

What are the symptoms of primary sclerosing cholangitis Health Consultation Description: What are the symptoms of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)?

What is primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) Health Consultation Description: What is primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)?

Ways to treat pancreatic inflammation and gall stones Health Consultation Description: My 92-year-old mum went through ERCP today on Monday for a gallstone obstruction at the common bile duct. CT scan showed an inflamed pancreas. The ERCP was aborted mid-way when the spincter was found inflammed and they have difficulties inserting the guide wire through. The next ERCP is scheduled for Friday. I am concerned that there may be further complications from now till Friday and the next ERCP may see another inflammation. Are there ways to reduce inflammation? Should we insist that IV drips be used till Friday or that we should allow solid food to be taken which may result in more pancreatic juice to be produced aggravating inflammation? Kindly advice whether there are other tests we can do before performing another ERCP.

Can surgery be recommanded for bile stones in an elderly person Health Consultation Description: My dad is 96 years old. His gallbladder was removed 60 years ago. He now has three large stones in his biliary duct. They were discovered incidentally while trying to determine why he was experiencing occasional nausea. The gastroenterologist said the two things were not related but that my dad could have the stones removed if he wanted. It is not necessary unless a blockage occurs. My dad is relatively healthy, on no medications, and has 125/80 blood pressure. Could he be a candidate for lithotripsy vs surgery?

Can I take Ursodiol if I have bile duct stones? Health Consultation Description: My gall bladder has been removed, My common bile duct developed stones afterward which had to be removed about once a year. I now take two ursodiol 300 mg. twice daily with good results. My question, is: Is this med necessary and can I reduce it to one- per-day since I have cut out fried foods, red meat and follow the Meteraian diet?

Can a gall stone do harm to the liver? Health Consultation Description: I had a bile duct blockage due to a gall stone. The doctor removed the stone and everything went back to normal. My urine color cleared up and I felt so much better right after the surgery. Prior to the surgery, they removed 3 liters of fluid from me and since the operation I don't have any fluid retention. The operation was done in August of last year. A blood test January of this year showed a reduced platelet count (87,000) and an enlarged spleen. After the surgery, I was told that everything was back to normal and I should be fine. My questions is:Could the gall stone have damaged my liver to cause the low count and Enlarged Spleen or could this be something that may correct itself. I feel fine.

Therapy for gall bladder stones and dilation of bile duct Health Consultation Description: I am 73 years old. An ultrasound showed gallbladder is filled with stones and my common bile duct is dilated to 8.9 mm. I have been on prescribed OxyContin for. About 12 yrs. My Surgen says he is going to remove the gallbladder laparoscopic but it is not any emergency. My liver looks normal in size and echogenicity, no wall thickening is noted and the pancreas, kidneys and spleen are normal in size and appearance. also all my bloodwork is good. Does this sound ok to you?