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Beware These Signs Of Pancreatitis As Former Disney Channel Star Hospitalized
Actor and comedian Rondell Sheridan, best known for his role as Victor Baxter on Disney Channel's "That's So Raven," revealed this week that he was recently hospitalized due to a severe case of pancreatitis.
"I got released and I thought I was on the road to recovery, but it was just for observation," Sheridan shared in an Instagram video, explaining that there's little to be done now but wait for his condition to improve.
Mostly bedridden for the foreseeable future, the beloved TV dad is asking fans for help with medical bills and monthly expenses as he recovers. Here's what you need to know about the painful condition that landed him in the hospital and sidelined him from work.
Actor Rondell Sheridan spent nine days in the hospital after being diagnosed with pancreatitis. WireImage What is the pancreas?It's a long, flat glandular organ, often compared to the shape of a tadpole, nestled behind your stomach and in front of your spine.
The pancreas plays an important role in both your digestive and endocrine systems, producing enzymes to break down food and hormones to regulate your blood sugar levels.
What is pancreatitis?It's a condition where your pancreas becomes inflamed and damaged, usually because its own digestive juices or enzymes start attacking the organ, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
There are two types. Acute pancreatitis is a temporary yet painful condition that occurs when the pancreas is recovering from a minor injury. Most people recover within a few days, either on their own or with treatment.
The pancreas plays a vital role in both digestion and regulating blood sugar. Manassanant – stock.Adobe.ComChronic pancreatitis, however, is a different story. It doesn't heal or improve. Instead, the condition worsens over time, leading to permanent damage, like scarring of the pancreatic tissue, which can prevent the organ from producing critical enzymes and hormones.
In the US, acute pancreatitis sends 275,000 people to the hospital each year, with about 20% of cases considered severe. Chronic pancreatitis is less common but still results in at least 86,000 hospitalizations annually.
What causes pancreatitis?Heavy alcohol use is one of the leading causes of pancreatitis, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
After Sheridan's announcement, rumors began circulating online suggesting his condition might be linked to drugs and alcohol. But the "Cory in the House" alum quickly shut down those claims.
Sheridan reprised his role as Victor Baxter in "That's So Raven's" two spinoffs. ©Disney Channel/courtesy Everett / Everett Collection"This could not be farther from the truth as Rondell shies away from drugs and alcohol," the actor's spokesperson said in a statement to TODAY.Com.
The other leading cause of pancreatitis is gallstones, which can block the bile duct opening, causing a build-up of digestive juices in the pancreas that may lead to the organ essentially "digesting" itself.
Other potential causes include abdominal injury or surgery, high levels of fat or calcium in the blood, certain medications, infections, cystic fibrosis, tumors, genetic defects and cigarette smoking.
What are the symptoms of pancreatitis?Symptoms can vary from person to person, but the Mayo Clinic outlines some common signs.
For acute pancreatitis, you might experience:
As for chronic pancreatitis, potential signs include:
Notably, some people with chronic pancreatitis may not develop symptoms until complications of the disease arise, which can take years.
How do you treat pancreatitis?Unfortunately, there's no magic pill.
Sheridan spent nine days in the hospital after being diagnosed with pancreatitis and is now playing a painful waiting game.
"The doctors have said he just has to wait for his pancreas to do what it's going to do before any further treatment can be considered," Sheridan's friend, Isabel Beyoso, wrote on the GoFundMe page she set up to support the struggling comedian.
Treatment for pancreatitis typically starts with a hospital stay, where doctors administer pain relief, IV fluids to combat dehydration, and possibly a low-fat diet — or even nutrition via feeding tube or IV if eating is too difficult.
Mild acute pancreatitis often resolves itself in a few days with rest and basic treatment. But for more severe cases, doctors will attempt to target the underlying causes.
If gallstones are to blame, a procedure may be performed to clear the bile ducts by removing the stones. In some cases, doctors may opt to remove the entire gallbladder.
Other treatments may include draining fluid from the pancreas or removing damaged tissue.
For pancreatitis caused by excessive alcohol use, doctors sometimes recommend a treatment program for alcohol addiction, as continued drinking can worsen the condition and lead to more serious complications.
Your doctor may also suggest changes to your medications or diet. In chronic cases, if pancreatitis causes diarrhea or weight loss, a pancreatic enzyme supplement may be recommended to help the body absorb nutrients.
Don't Ignore The Silent Warning Signs Of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest types of cancer, mainly because it is hard to detect early. The pancreas is a small organ located behind your stomach. It helps you digest food and control your blood sugar.
But when cancer starts growing in the pancreas, it often doesn't cause clear symptoms right away. Many people don't know anything is wrong until the disease has already spread.
One of the big problems with pancreatic cancer is that its early symptoms are very easy to miss. They often look like signs of other, less serious health problems. Some people feel pain in their belly or back that doesn't go away.
Others might notice they are losing weight without trying. You might feel full quickly when eating or feel sick to your stomach. These symptoms can come and go, so many people don't pay much attention to them at first.
A more obvious warning sign is jaundice. This is when the skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow. Jaundice happens when a tumor blocks a tube called the bile duct, which normally helps your body get rid of waste.
When this tube is blocked, a substance called bilirubin builds up in your blood, causing the yellow color. Jaundice can also make your pee look darker and your poop pale or greasy. Some people feel itchy all over their body. These changes should not be ignored.
Another early clue is losing weight without changing your diet or exercise. A study published in a medical journal found that many people with pancreatic cancer started losing weight months before they were diagnosed.
This happens because the pancreas stops making enough enzymes to break down food, so your body doesn't absorb all the nutrients it needs. That can lead to weight loss even if you're eating normally.
Some people may also develop diabetes for the first time as adults. If you suddenly need diabetes treatment and never had blood sugar problems before, it could be linked to changes in the pancreas caused by cancer.
Other signs include feeling very tired, losing your appetite, or just feeling unwell without knowing why. These symptoms are common in many health conditions, but when they don't go away or show up together, it's important to take them seriously.
There are also certain risk factors that make pancreatic cancer more likely. People who smoke, are overweight, or have long-term inflammation in the pancreas are at higher risk. So are people who have family members who had pancreatic cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, smokers have about twice the risk of getting pancreatic cancer compared to non-smokers.
If you are in a high-risk group and start noticing unusual symptoms—especially things like jaundice, long-lasting belly pain, or sudden weight loss—it's very important to talk to a doctor. Catching the cancer early gives you a better chance of getting effective treatment.
Doctors often use tests like CT scans or MRIs to find out what's going on in the body. Being sent for one of these tests doesn't mean you definitely have cancer. But these scans are very useful for spotting problems in the pancreas and other organs.
In short, pancreatic cancer is a serious disease that often hides in the beginning. It's important to pay close attention to small changes in your health. If something feels wrong, especially if you have risk factors, don't wait. Getting checked early can lead to quicker treatment and a better chance of recovery.
If you care about cancer, please read studies about a new method to treat cancer effectively, and this low-dose, four-drug combo may block cancer spread.
For more information about cancer prevention, please see recent studies about nutrient in fish that can be a poison for cancer, and results showing this daily vitamin is critical to cancer prevention.
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