A 21 year old college student presented to the ER complaining of severe abdomina

Question

A 21 year old college student presented to the ER complaining of severe abdominal pain and four bouts of vomiting. He described the pain as sharp and radiating to the back. Last evening, he attented a birthday party and reported drinking heavily. Physical exam was remarkable for epigastric pain on palpation but no rebund tenderness. Serum amylase was normal and serum lipase is pending. Triglyceride level was 1000 mg/dl.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
What is the pathogenesis to this condition?
What is/are the long term effects if this patient continues to imbibe a significant amount of alcohol?
As the discharging nurse, what medical advice would you give the patient?
The above young man persisted in "partying hard," and with a promotion to the vice president position of a large exporting company, he continued to consume alcohol on a regualr basis. He now presents to the ER complaining of recurrent abdominal pain with sporadic diarrhea. He describes his stool as greasy and foul smelling.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
What is the most common cause of this condition?
What is the treatment of choice?
What is the most liekly outcome if the patient persists in the heavy consumption of alcohol?

Explanation / Answer

The most likely diagnosis is acute pancreatitis The pathogenesis to this condition is that alcohol induces the production of fatty acids in the pancreas. This leads to the high level of triglycerides and also stop energy production in the pancreas. If this patient continues to imbibe alcohol, the long term effects would be the damage of pancreas. The pancreas would stop working totally. ------------------------------------ The medical advice to give to the patient would be to stop drinking. ---------------------------------- The most likely diagnosis is chronic pancreatitis. The most common cause of this condition is heavy, regular drinking. The treatment of choice would be to treat the pain and diarrhoea If the patient persists in the heavy consumption of alcohol, his pancreas wil soon become irreversibly damaged. This will affect his body processes also.

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