If you are unable to work because of Pancreatitis you may be able to make a TPD claim for a lump sum from the Total & Permanent Disablement insurance contained within your superannuation fund. There is no necessity for you to have been involved in an accident or to have suffered a work related injury to make a TPD claim. If you suffer from total and permanent disability, you may be able to make a TPD claim in addition to receiving your super early as a result of your condition. Our TPD claim solicitors can advise you in detail as to the requirements of a successful submission, they will prepare all relevant paperwork and will obtain full supporting documentation. Our TPD lawyers will give you advice on the likely success of your claim to a super fund, without further obligation. It costs nothing to use our advice service.

Our TPD claim solicitors use a risk free no win no fee arrangement.

We have offices situated in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Darwin.

Pancreatitis - TPD

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas caused by various insults to the pancreas. The pancreas is a long and thin with a bulge on the right side called the head of the pancreas. The pancreas normally secretes digestive enzymes to aid in digestion at the level of the duodenum. It also secretes insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream in order to regulate glucose (sugar) metabolism. When the pancreas is inflamed, none of these function very well and there are problems with sugar metabolism and digestion. The digestive enzymes instead attack the pancreas in an attempt to digest itself.

Pancreatitis can be chronic or acute. Both can cause permanent tissue damage to the pancreas, bleeding and infection, especially if severe. Pancreatitis is more common in men than in women.

Acute pancreatitis involves sudden inflammation of the pancreas that can be life-threatening and, with treatment, can resolve within a week or so. Acute pancreatic happens in about 210,000 people in the US, excluding those that never seek medical attention. The most common cause of acute pancreatitis is gallstones that block the exit of the common bile duct and cause backup of bile and digestive juices into the pancreas. If you are a chronic alcoholic, you can also get acute pancreatitis, sometimes occurring hours to a couple of days after drinking a great deal of alcohol. Other causes of pancreatitis include trauma to the abdomen, medications, tumours, and genetic problems associated with the pancreas.

Symptoms and signs of pancreatitis include the gradual or sudden onset of pain in the upper abdomen that radiates to the back. The pain is usually worse after eating and then becomes constant and lasts for several days. The person looks and feels very sick and often has a tender and swollen abdomen, nausea, vomiting, fever, and a rapid pulse. When you have severe pancreatitis that is acute, you can easily get dehydrated, have low blood pressure, have kidney failure and have liver failure. If bleeding occurs in the pancreas, you can even develop shock and death.

The diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is not difficult. The doctor does a complete history and physical examination of the individual with abdominal pain. An amylase and lipase blood test can show the evidence of pancreatic inflammation. An ultrasound of the abdomen can show evidence of an enlarged pancreas that is inflamed. A CT scan or MRI scan of the body can show the presence of pancreatic inflammation. An ERCP is a test in which dye is introduced into the pancreatic ducts and bile ducts via an endoscope and an x-ray can show what is going on with the biliary system, including the pancreas.

The treatment of acute pancreatitis involves hospitalization for IV fluids, antibiotic therapy, and pain relief. There can be no eating or drinking because the person must rest the pancreas. If there is vomiting, a nasogastric tube is introduced to get rid of the excess air and liquid. The condition usually resolves within a couple of days. A special diet may need to be needed in order to keep the pancreas at rest for a period of time after the pancreatitis resolves itself. Fatty meals, smoking and drinking alcohol should be avoided for several weeks after recovering.

Another treatment for pancreatitis is to do an ERCP and then do a sphincterotomy, which opens up the common bile duct, allowing gall stones and other sludge to pass through the duodenum and pass out of the pancreas and gall bladder. A stent can be placed to keep the bile duct open or a balloon dilatation can be done to stretch open the common bile duct or pancreatic duct.

Complications of pancreatitis include the need for surgical removal of gallstones, infection, prolonged pain and shock. There can be the development of pseudocysts, which are accumulations of debris and fluid that can develop in and around the pancreas. They need to be drained by means of ERCP or by ultrasound guidance. Untreated pseudocysts can pass enzymes and toxins into the bloodstream. They can cause end organ damage such as liver or kidney failure. Other complications of pancreatitis can cause breathing problems, including hypoxia, treated with oxygen until the pancreatitis resolves.

LAWYER HELPLINE: ☎ 1800 339 958