Difference Between Gastritis and Pancreatitis

Different Digestive diseases affect millions of people whereas Gastritis and Pancreatitis are such kinds of diseases. Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas while Gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining. This disease damages the esophagus, liver, stomach, small and large intestines, gall bladder, pancreas, etc., of a person. The common symptoms of these conditions are bleeding, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, pain, nausea, and vomiting.

What is Gastritis?

Gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining. Gastritis is a situation in which the stomach lining swells up and produces less acid, enzymes, and mucus. It can be acute (sudden) or chronic (long-term) and can be caused by various factors, such as infections, medications, alcohol, and stress. The most common cause of acute gastritis is infection with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, which is responsible for more than 80% of all cases. Other causes of acute gastritis include excessive alcohol consumption, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and severe stress.

Types of Gastritis

• Acute Gastritis: Gastritis that may occur  Suddenly. Severe inflammation of the stomach lining that lasts for one or two days. 
• Chronic Gastritis:  Inflammation that occurs slowly and lasts for a long period of time.

What is Pancreatitis?

It is the inflammation of the pancreas. It causes swelling and pain in the stomach. Pancreatitis is a condition in which the pancreas, a gland located behind the stomach, becomes inflamed. The pancreas is responsible for producing enzymes that aid in digestion and hormones that regulate blood sugar levels.

Types of Pancreatitis 

• Acute pancreatitis: It is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas that typically lasts for a few days to a week.  
• Chronic pancreatitis: It is a long-term inflammation of the pancreas that can result in permanent damage to the organ.

Difference Between Gastritis and Pancreatitis

	Gastritis	Pancreatitis
Definition	It is a situation in which the stomach lining swells up and produces less acid, enzymes, and mucus.	It is inflammation of the pancreas.
Ordinariness	It is a more common disease among the person.	It is less common among people.
Statistics	8 out of 1000 people per year are suffering from this	30 out of 100,000 people per year are suffering from pancreatitis
Causes	Consumption of alcohol, bacterial infection, an overdose of painkillers, old age, and treatment for cancer are some causes of Gastritis.	Certain medications, Gallstones, high calcium levels in the blood, and pancreatic cancer are some causes of pancreatitis.
Prognostics	Pain in the stomach, burning of the stomach, feeling of Nausea, vomiting loss of appetite are some of the symptoms of Gastritis.	Abdominal pain (most common), fast heartbeat, fever, fast breathing, and low blood pressure are some symptoms of pancreatitis.
Remedy	Treatment for Gastritis is taking antacids and other drugs, avoiding hot and spicy foods vitamin B12 shots.	Early eating, pain medication, a low-fat diet, and fasting from food and drink are some treatments for pancreatitis.
Subdivision	Gastritis that occurs suddenly for one or two days is called acute Gastritis. Gastritis that occurs slowly for a long time is called chronic Gastritis.	Pancreatitis for a short period of time is called acute pancreatitis. Pancreas for life long is known as chronic pancreatitis.

Similarities Between Gastritis and Pancreatitis

1. Both Gastritis and Pancreatitis are infectious
2. Both Gastritis and Pancreatitis show similar symptoms like stomach pain
3. Both are determined using similar tests such as blood tests and endoscopy.
4. Both are treated with several specific medications.

FAQs on Gastritis and Pancreatitis

Question 1: What are the warning signs of gastritis?

Answer:

These are the following warning sign of gastritis:

1. Gnawing 
2. Burning ache or pain in the upper abdomen
3. Nausea
4. Vomiting
5. A feeling of fullness 

Question 2: Can pancreatitis be mistaken for gastritis?

Answer:

Chronic pancreatitis can mimic peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, and other gastrointestinal conditions, making it difficult to diagnose.

Question 3: Are pancreatitis and gastritis related?

Answer:

Pancreatitis and Gastritis are not directly related to each other but the symptoms of pancreatitis and gastritis can be very similar. They both cause pain in the epigastric region which is often made worse by food. Pancreatitis pain tends to radiate to the back and tends to be more severe. It is important to seek a doctor for help if anyone is facing any of these. 

Question 4: What does the pain of pancreatitis feel like?

Answer:

The pain of Pancreatitis depends upon the severity of the inflammation. It causes a sudden severe, dull pain around the top of the stomach often gets steadily worse and can travel along the back or below the left shoulder, it feels like a stabbing or burning sensation that radiates through the chest, back, or flank.

Question 5: Where is gastritis pain located?

Answer:

The Pain of Gastritis produces dull, gnawing, or burning pain which depends upon the severity of the inflammation, it generally occurs in the upper abdomen, between the bottom of the breastbone and the belly button, and the pain becomes worse with eating.