100 Grapevine Hwy Hurst TX 76054

Hemosuccus Pancreaticus Treatment in Hurst, TX

Hemosuccus Pancreaticus Treatment in Hurst, TX

*WARNING: this condition is potentially life-threatening. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, don’t wait. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.*

Do you have chronic pancreatitis abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, black, tarry stool, or rectal bleeding? It may be hemosuccus pancreaticus, a rare condition caused by disorders of your pancreas.

This condition occurs when an artery in or near your pancreas ruptures, causing blood to enter your digestive tract. While this condition typically isn’t immediately life-threatening, any internal bleeding is potentially dangerous. Seeking immediate medical attention is crucial. If your bleeding or abdominal pain is severe, don’t wait—call 911 or get emergency medical attention immediately.

To speak with a Hurst hemosuccus specialist today , call (817) 203-2760 or contact The New You Medical & Infusion Clinic online.

Symptoms of hemosuccus pancreaticus

Symptoms are related to internal bleeding originating in your pancreas. They can include:

  • abdominal pain on your right side; typically increases and decreases in intensity slowly
  • black, tarry, or maroon-colored stool
  • rectal bleeding
  • jaundice (rarely)

What causes hemosuccus pancreaticus?

Many factors can cause bleeding from your pancreas, but it’s most commonly caused by acute or chronic pancreatitis , pancreatic cancer , pancreatic duct stones, or a ruptured aneurysm (an enlarged splenic artery or hepatic artery—arteries of the spleen or liver).

Very rarely, the bleeding originates from the accessory pancreatic duct, and is typically caused by a condition called pancreas divisum.

Inflammation can damage or scar the interior of the pancreas, causing bleeding that exits the pancreas and enters the digestive system, where it’s then passed out in waste matter. In other cases, pressure on an enlarged artery can cause a tiny hole, forcing blood from the artery and into the digestive system.

Diagnosing hemosuccus pancreaticus

This condition can be difficult to diagnose. In most cases, your provider will recommend an endoscopy to determine the origin of your internal bleeding. Usually, a side-view endoscopy will be performed to make viewing your pancreatic duct easier and diagnosing the bleeding’s original more specific.

Angiography, a diagnostic procedure that visualizes the inside of your blood vessels, offers the best visual imaging of the artery or blood vessel that may be responsible for your bleeding. First, you’ll receive a contrast dye injection to make your artery or blood vessel appear clearly on the imaging screen. Then, your provider will insert a catheter into the affected area and use Doppler ultrasound to create a clear visual image of the artery or blood vessel suspected to be leaking.

These tests are typically fast and relatively painless, requiring little or no downtime or long recovery periods. X-ray, CT, or MRI imaging may also be used to create a complete picture of the affected area.

Treating hemosuccus pancreaticus

The treatment method depends on where the bleeding is coming from. If the bleeding source is small enough, your provider may embolize the affected blood vessel by placing medication or synthetic material through a catheter to block the blood flow – usually permanently. Embolization is much less invasive than surgery and presents far fewer risks.

In extreme cases, if the source is larger, cancer is present, or if embolization fails, pancreatectomy - partial removal of the pancreas – may be required to stop the bleeding.

Following your provider’s advice, taking your prescriptions, and reporting any changes or new symptoms is vital for protecting your health. Attending all follow-up appointments is crucial so you and your provider can determine the best course of treatment and so your condition can be monitored.

Preventative measures

As with any medical treatment, results vary from patient to patient, depending on age, genetics, condition severity, as well as environmental and health factors. Consult your healthcare practitioner before embarking on your treatment journey.

You can avoid or lessen your risk of getting pancreas disorders, including pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, by living a pancreas-healthy lifestyle, which includes these steps:

Limit alcohol intake

Alcohol can wreak havoc on your vital organs if you drink too much for too long. Alcohol is a toxin, and though small amounts are generally safe, consuming more than one drink per day can cause long-term pancreas damage.

Alcohol is the commonest cause of chronic pancreatitis and the second-most common cause of pancreatitis1. Alcohol contains toxic chemicals called metabolites (acetaldehyde, FAEEs, and ROS), that damage the pancreas on a cellular level. When alcohol alters the pancreas’ ability to create alcohol-metabolizing enzymes, accumulation of these harmful metabolites occurs and tissue damage is the result. In time, this damage becomes irreversible.

Quit smoking

A recent study showed that 84,667 smokers between the ages of 46-84 had twice the risk for non-gallstone related acute pancreatitis than non-smokers did3. Quitting smoking reduces your risk of pancreatitis down to the level of non-smokers.

Smoking damages DNA in your pancreas on a cellular level. Carcinogens in tobacco smoke can damage pancreatic cells until they mutate into cancerous cells.

Eat a healthy diet

Like it does for all our organs, diet plays a huge role in pancreas health. A well-balanced diet rich with fresh fruits, whole grains, and vegetables and no processed, high-fat, sugary foods and whole milk can help you avoid many pancreatic disorders.

High-fat diets raise your body’s triglyceride levels (the amount of fat in your bloodstream) and increase your risk of getting gallstones and pancreatitis.

Many foods have shown effectiveness in promoting pancreas health. These include:

  • cruciferous veggies: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage are full of antioxidants that promote strong immune function and may protect you from pancreatic tumors
  • lemons, limes, and kiwi: encourages the release of digestive enzymes from your pancreas
  • English marigold: also called calendula, it has anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties that slow or stop pancreatic cancer cells from forming
  • licorice: the root (not the candy) contains anti-inflammatories that can prevent pancreatitis or reduce pancreatitis pain
  • goldenseal: lowers blood sugar levels and generally improves pancreas function by stimulating pancreatic beta cells; may also benefit your colon and spleen
  • horsetail: rich in silica, horsetail helps heal and rebuild damaged tissue; stimulates anti-diabetic compounds and helps regenerate the pancreas
  • haritaki: lowers blood sugar levels and may prevent the growth of pancreatic tumors
  • oregano: full of antioxidants that manage hyperglycemia
  • dandelion: powerful antioxidant properties protect against pancreatic cancer; may help regenerate damaged pancreas tissues
  • cedar berries: improve digestive and pancreatic function by stabilizing blood sugar levels
  • gentian: stimulates the gallbladder and the mucous membranes of the stomach and pancreas, increasing secretion of pancreatic juices, stomach acid, bile, and other fluids that promote healthy digestion
  • olive leaves: detoxify the blood and prevent free radical damage; contain oleuropein, a strong anti-inflammatory that reduces pancreatitis swelling and kills free radicals
  • garlic: lowers your blood sugar and helps your pancreas produce insulin

If you’re obese or overweight and want to lose weight, always choose a safe method that involves steady exercise and a balanced diet. Your medical provider or nutritionist can help create a plan without putting you at risk of health complications.

Always avoid fad or “extreme” diets. Losing weight too quickly increases cholesterol production and causes a high risk of gallstones.

Exercise regularly

When you don’t exercise, the cholesterol levels in your body begin building up in your blood. Over time, this cholesterol becomes too much for your body to process, and it begins forming into stones in your gallbladder. These stones increase your risk for pancreatitis.

By exercising at least 150 minutes each week and maintaining a healthy diet, you can lose excess weight and remain at a healthy BMI (body mass index). This is the main preventative step for avoiding gallstones, and thus, pancreatitis.

Recent research has shown that regular exercise coupled with a pancreas-healthy diet can positively influence the effectiveness and success of pancreatic cancer treatments. This study shows that exercise may be useful as an adjunct therapy for managing pancreatic cancer2.

Request your appointment now

While hemosuccus pancreaticus is rare, occurring occasionally in patients with pancreatic disorders, you should be aware that it can be serious. If you have a pancreas disorder and are experiencing the symptoms of hemosuccus pancreaticus, contact your medical provider immediately. If you have severe bleeding or abdominal pain, don’t wait—call 911 or get emergency medical attention right away.

To learn more about hemosuccus pancreaticus treatment in Hurst, call (817) 203-2760 or contact The New You Medical & Infusion Clinic online.


Sources:

1. Wilcox, C. Mel. “Exam 2: Alcohol and Smoking as Risk Factors in an Epidemiology Study of Patients With Chronic Pancreatitis.” Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, vol. 9, no. 3, 2011, doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2011.01.009.

2. Cormie, Prue, et al. “Exercise as Medicine in the Management of Pancreatic Cancer.” Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, vol. 46, no. 4, 2014, pp. 664–670., doi:10.1249/mss.0000000000000160.

3. Greer, Julia B., et al. “Epidemiologic and Mechanistic Associations Between Smoking and Pancreatitis.” Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology, vol. 13, no. 3, 2015, pp. 332–346., doi:10.1007/s11938-015-0056-9.

4. Adler, Douglas G, et al. “Hemosuccus Pancreaticus.” Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, vol. 59, no. 6, 2004, p. 695., doi:10.1016/s0016-5107(04)00164-6.

5. Singh, Anshu, et al. “Hemosuccus Pancreaticus: An Uncommon Cause Of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding.” Chest, vol. 132, no. 4, 2007, doi: 10.1378/chest.132.4_meetingabstracts.720b.

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The New You Medical & Infusion Clinic
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Address

100 Grapevine Hwy
Hurst, TX 76054
(817) 203-2760
https://www.newyoumedclinic.com/

Hours

Mon: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tue: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wed: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thu: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Fri: Closed
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed

Areas We Service:

Tarrant County, TX, DFW, TX, Las Colinas, TX, Carrollton, TX, Dallas, TX, Irving, TX, Richardson, TX, Sunnyvale, TX, Frisco, TX, Roanoke, TX, Weatherford, TX, Arlington, TX, Bedford, TX, Colleyville, TX, Euless, TX, Fort Worth, TX, Grapevine, TX, Haltom City, TX, Keller, TX, North Richland Hills, TX, Southlake, TX, Watauga, TX