Autoimmune Diseases That Cause Pancreatitis

 

Autoimmune Diseases that cause pancreatitis is our discussion today. Autoimmune diseases can and do manifest as either acute, recurrent acute or chronic pancreatitis. As a pancreatitis and autoimmune disease patient, I have had many cases or attacks of acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis flares that have been likely caused by autoimmune diseases. By the grace of God I learned how to stop the recurrent acute pancreatitis attacks, put my CP in remission allowing me to live a pain free life (pancreas wise) for quite sometime.

IF you have chronic pancreatitis and would like to learn how I did it just spend time on this site. I don’t charge fees. Read my terms of service under the “legal tab” located in the site menu.

The autoimmune diseases I have been diagnosed with are Celiac Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis and mild Psoriasis. I used to think an abdominal injury while playing linebacker in school was the cause of my pancreatitis but the more I learn about autoimmune disease, specifically Celiac disease, the more I am inclined to believe that CD was the actual culprit.

Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs, causing inflammation and damage. Acute pancreatitis is a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed, causing severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. IF complications arise things get remarkably worse regarding symptoms and survival.

In this article, I will discuss how autoimmune diseases can trigger acute pancreatitis, cause chronic pancreatitis flares and provide a comprehensive guide to understanding and managing this condition.

Autoimmune Diseases and Their Effects on the Body

Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues and organs, mistaking them for foreign invaders. This can lead to inflammation and tissue damage, which can cause a range of symptoms and complications. And the diseases themselves often make living difficult.

There are many different types of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes. But autoimmune diseases are basically classified in two categories: Systemic and Organ specific.

Systemic autoimmune diseases can affect any part of the body. Organs systems such as the heart, vascular system, lungs, liver, kidneys, intestines, brain, spine and yes the pancreas is included. Organ specific means the autoimmune disease only damages that specific organ system.

When the immune system attacks the pancreas, it can cause inflammation of the pancreas, acute pancreatitis, which then causes damage to the acinar cells that produce digestive enzymes and the islet cells that produce hormones, such as insulin. This damage, especially if it isn’t contained, can lead to a range of chronic pancreatitis symptoms, including mild to extremely severe abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss.

What Is Pancreatitis and How It Relates To Autoimmune Disease

Inflammation of the pancreas aka acute pancreatitis is a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed, causing mild to the more common extremely severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Very rarely acute pancreatitis can present without pain. I read a case study about a 66 y/o male who presented himself at the ER with only intractable vomiting. Naturally he was misdiagnosed, treated for something else and they killed him. At autopsy his pancreas was destroyed.

Acute pancreatitis can be caused by a myriad of things, a gallstone for example or alcoholism are the two main causes and as you are learning autoimmune diseases are also a cause along with various big pharma drugs that are used to suppress autoimmune response. Various infections caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites cause pancreas inflammation as well. Other causes include:

• Food allergies
• High blood fat levels
• High blood calcium
• Venoms (snake, scorpion, spider, etc)
• Abdominal trauma
• Genetics  

All the above are known causes which can make the pancreas angry and become inflamed, This inflammation seems to activate the pancreatic enzymes inside the pancreas instead of the small bowel. The early activation leads to autodigestion of the pancreatic tissues causing mild to catastrophic damage. This cascade of events leads to the symptoms of acute pancreatitis, complications, even death.

Autoimmune diseases can trigger acute pancreatitis by causing inflammation and damage to the cells in the pancreas. As a result, and previously stated, the pancreas becomes inflamed, the inflammation leading to damage and the symptoms of acute pancreatitis suddenly bloom like tulips in springtime..

The Link Between Autoimmune Diseases and Acute Pancreatitis

There is a strong link between autoimmune diseases and acute pancreatitis.

In fact, research has shown that up to 5% of cases of acute pancreatitis are caused by autoimmune diseases.

The most common autoimmune diseases that are known to cause acute pancreatitis include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome.

Autoimmune diseases can trigger acute pancreatitis by causing inflammation and damage to the cells in the pancreas.

As a result, the pancreas can become inflamed and damaged, leading to the symptoms of acute pancreatitis.

Autoimmune Diseases Known to Cause Pancreatitis

There are several autoimmune diseases that are known to cause acute pancreatitis. There are others that are suspected causes due to the fact they seem to be present together. SOME of these include:

Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect many different parts of the body, including the pancreas. Lupus can cause inflammation and damage to the cells in the pancreas, leading to acute pancreatitis. Lupus can attack the joints, skin, brain, heart, lungs, liver and other organ systems and is what is known as a “systemic-multi organ” disease like some others such as …

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation and damage to the joints, as well as other parts of the body, including the pancreas. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause acute pancreatitis by damaging the cells in the pancreas and/or causing a blockage in the pancreatic duct. It’s more often associated with autoimmune pancreatitis and can present as chronic versus acute in many cases.

Sjogren’s Syndrome

Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects the salivary glands and tear ducts. However, it can also affect the pancreas, causing inflammation and damage to the cells that produce digestive enzymes and hormones. This can lead to acute and chronic pancreatitis.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a “systemic” autoimmune disease which can attack any organ system. In celiac disease, the systemic inflammatory response and multiple other organ involvement marks celiac disease as a multisystem disease. CD, like lupus, attacks many other ograns systems not simply the small intestinal villi as most doctors think, Newer research has come to point out that CD is truly a “systemic autoimmune disease” that attacks the heart, lungs {celiac asthma), liver, pancreas, brain, neurological system and repoductive system causing miscarriages in women. Celiac disease also causes recurrent acute pancreatitis especially in undiagnosed patients who are still eating gluten.

The good news is that only 1% of the population actually has true Celiac disease. Celiac disease is far more damaging than gluten sensitivity, True Celiac disease can lead to pancreatitis as I already have mentioned but it also increases the risk for small bowel cancer and lymphomas.

Slceroderma aka Systemic Sclerosis

A Korean study found that people who suffer with systemic sclerosis often have a worse quality of life than those with other rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is also associated with autoimmune pancreatitis.

Dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis is a rare, potentially lethal, inflammatory disease marked by muscle weakness and skin rash. It affects adults between 40-60 and is usually seen in females. Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is a rare and heterogeneous pediatric-onset idiopathic inflammatory myopathy. I bet you can’t say that 3 times fast!

Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement occurs in 22% to 37% of JDM patients but has only been described in case reports. Dermatomyositis can cause heart muscle inflammation. In a small number of people who have dermatomyositis, congestive heart failure and heart rhythm problems develop. Lung disease. Interstitial lung disease can occur with dermatomyositis. 

Gastrointestinal manifestations of DM in adults have included dysphagia, esophageal reflux, esophageal dysmotility, delayed gastric emptying, decreased intestinal motility, and rectal incontinence. Acute pancreatitis has also been attributed to dermatomyositis.

Dermatomyositis is one nasty autoimmune disease. If you desire more info on it just Google it. Medscape has a great article on this disease.

Churg-Strauss Syndrome

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a rare multi-system vasculitis. The diagnosis of CSS is based on the classification criteria of the American Collage of Rheumatology. GI involvement seems to include abdominal pain, intestinal bleeding, intestinal perforation, cholecystitis or pancreatitis as these were all attributed when present without other pathogenic explanation.

IgG4-Related Sclerosing Cholangitis

IgG4 SC seems to be associated with autoimmune pancreatitis. Exactly what the relationship is nobody seems to know. IgG4 SC is not stated to be a “systemic” autoimmune disease but again there is the fact it seems to also be associated with several autoimmune bowel disorders.

Bowel Disease

Autoimmune bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis, etc are often associated with pancreatitis. Pancreatic disorders are not uncommon in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The most frequent manifestation is acute pancreatitis (AP). Causes of AP are mainly a concomitant biliary lithiasis or the immune suppressant drugs used in the treatment of IBD.

Symptoms of Acute Pancreatitis Caused by Autoimmune Diseases

The symptoms of acute pancreatitis caused by autoimmune diseases are similar to those of acute pancreatitis caused by other factors. These symptoms can include:

• Severe abdominal pain that may radiate to the back or chest
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bloating and gas
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Fever and chills
• Rapid heartbeat
• Low blood pressure
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

If you have an autoimmune disease and experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention right away.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Acute Pancreatitis Caused by Autoimmune Diseases

If you have an autoimmune disease and experience symptoms of acute pancreatitis, your doctor may perform several tests to diagnose the condition. These tests may include:

• Blood tests to check for elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes and other markers of inflammation such as CRP
• Imaging tests, such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI, to look for signs of inflammation or damage in the pancreas
• Endoscopic ultrasound, a procedure in which a small ultrasound probe is inserted into the digestive tract to get a better look at the pancreas

Treatment for acute pancreatitis caused by autoimmune diseases may include:

• Pain medication to manage the symptoms
• IV fluids to prevent dehydration
• Nutritional support, such as a feeding tube, to provide nutrients to the body
• Corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs to reduce inflammation and prevent further damage to the pancreas in cases of autoimmune pancreatitis
• Surgery to remove damaged tissue or drain fluid from the pancreas (psuedocysts) or where there are abdominal fluid collections known as ascities.

Preventative Measures for Those with Autoimmune Diseases

If you have an autoimmune disease, there are several preventative measures you can take to reduce your risk of developing acute and chronic pancreatitis. These include:

• Managing your autoimmune disease with medication (this can be a catch 22 because immunosuppressant drugs are known causes of AP) and lifestyle changes. Diet changes and various supplements may be beneficial.
• Avoiding alcohol and fatty foods, which can trigger acute pancreatitis in those who are already chronic or still have unhealed damage from recent AP (acute pancreatitis).
• Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly
• Quitting smoking, which can increase your risk of developing pancreatitis
• Monitoring your symptoms and seeking medical attention if you experience any signs of pancreatitis or the worsening of your autoimmune diseases.

Living with Autoimmune Diseases and Chronic Pancreatitis

Living with an autoimmune disease(s) and acute or chronic pancreatitis can be challenging, but there are many resources available to help you manage your condition. These resources may include support groups, counseling, and educational materials. Don’t be afraid of “doctor Google.” Learn to do your own quality research. There are many pages on this site that deal with proven ideas and steps that can be taken to manage chronic pancreatitis more effectively, even put it in remission. The internet has quality articles, by highly educated scholars, if you know where to look.

It is important to work closely with your healthcare team to manage your symptoms and prevent complications. This may include regular check-ups, blood tests, and imaging studies to monitor your condition. You can monitor your condition as well by keeping an up-to-date-daily journal. Doing your own journal could be highly useful for your healthcare team as well IF they take the time to listen to you.

Conclusion and Future Research Directions

In conclusion, autoimmune diseases can trigger acute pancreatitis by causing inflammation that inturn triggers the premature activation of pancreatic enzymes while still inside the pancreas which then digest the pancreas causing even more damage to the cells in the pancreas. If you have an autoimmune disease and experience symptoms of acute pancreatitis, it is important to seek medical attention right away.

Future research directions may include developing new treatments for acute pancreatitis caused by autoimmune diseases, as well as improving our understanding of the underlying mechanisms that cause this condition. With continued research and education, we can improve the lives of those living with autoimmune diseases and acute pancreatitis.

Final Thoughts

As a patient, I have experienced first-hand knowledge regarding the impact that autoimmune diseases can have on the body, including the development of recurrent acute pancreatitis.

Each autoimmune diseases seem to have their own idiosyncrasies within the human they are attacking. My celiac disease seems to be under control with diet but in my case simply eliminating the well known sources of gluten (wheat, barley, rye) wasn’t enough. I had to eliminate ALL grains, including psuedograins such as buckwheat, quinoa, amaranth and others in order to become symptom free. I don’t eat any grains or psuedograins, whether the AMA or other white coat types say they are safe or not because my body says they aren’t safe and the white coats are wrong.

AND the white coats don’t have to suffer when they are wrong. They live normally, get paid whether or not they help, harm or kill.

By understanding the link between autoimmune diseases and acute and/or chronic pancreatitis, you and hopefully your health care team can better manage the autoimmune disease(s) and prevent the agony of pancreatitis flares or AP.

If you have an autoimmune disease, it is important to work closely with your healthcare team to manage your symptoms and prevent complications. With the right care, diligence and support, you can live a healthy and fulfilling life.

By the way one final thought. Autoimmune diseases are like wolves. They often travel in packs. IF you have one you also likely have others as well. Cool huh?