A 21 yr old college student presents to the ER complaining of severe abdominal p

Question

A 21 yr old college student presents to the ER complaining of severe abdominal pain and four bouts of vomiting. He describes the pain as sharp and radiating to the back. Last week he reported drinking heavily. Physical exam remarkable for epigastric pain on palpation but no rebound tenderness. Serum amylase normal and serum lipase pending. Triglyceride level 1000 mg/dl. What is most likely diagnosis? What is the pathogenesis to the condition? List two most common causes of 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 this patient?

Explanation / Answer

The patient is having hyper-triglycerideaemia, which may be associated with pancreatitis. Alcohol promotes the production of triglycerides by liver and raises the free triglyceride levels. The triglcerides promote hardening and blocks in arterial wall, which further contribute to heart diseases. Common causes of hyper-triglycerideaemia include metabolic diseases like diabetes, and alcohol abuse.

In this case, it is clear that the person is suffering from hyper-triglycerideaemia due to alcohol abuse; he needs counseling to quit alcohol by explaining potential health (both physical and psychological) damages caused by alcohol.

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