Q: One of the cardinal signs of chronic pancreatitis is unintended weight loss. This is because, in chronic pancreatitis, the pancreas is damaged and is thus unable to release the usual quantities of digestive enzymes. This makes it challenging to successfully digest and absorb food and leads to malnutrition and weight loss. Here are some ways to differentiate the weight loss of chronic pancreatitis from weight loss associated with other medical conditions:  Unintended weight loss is also one of the hallmark signs of cancer. The difference with cancer, however, is that it may be associated with other symptoms such as night sweats, shortness of breath, and/or pain in the affected area of the body. The weight loss of chronic pancreatitis is associated with abnormal stools, but rarely any other symptoms. Unintended weight loss may also be experienced as a result of bowel disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease or Celiac disease. Both of these conditions lead to troubles with absorption through the gut, resulting in the weight loss. Celiac disease can be tested for by measuring tTG-IgA in the blood, and following up with a biopsy if the first test is positive. Inflammatory bowel disease can be tested for with blood tests for anemia (low red blood cells) and stool tests for blood in the stool, as well as a colonoscopy (a scope inserted in your colon) to examine the state of your bowel wall.  People with cystic fibrosis may also have unintended weight loss, because cystic fibrosis leads to challenges with the pancreas that resemble those of chronic pancreatitis. Cystic fibrosis can be diagnosed with a sweat test. Cystic fibrosis may actually lead to the development of subsequent pancreatitis, as the two conditions are linked. In chronic pancreatitis, stools tend to be abnormal, presenting either as diarrhea or as oily, fatty stools that may be pale or clay-colored. The stools are also sometimes foul smelling and difficult to flush. The stool abnormalities are again due to digestive problems, resulting from insufficient amounts of digestive enzymes released from a damaged pancreas. Other medical conditions that may present with abnormal stools include:  Other bowel diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, etc. These can be tested for with a combination of your medical history, blood tests, stool tests, and a possible colonoscopy. Abnormal stools may also result from problems with the liver and/or gallbladder. These can be screened for with blood tests. One of the hallmarks of many cases of chronic pancreatitis is epigastric pain, which occurs in the upper abdomen. This may radiate through to your back, and it may worsen in relationship to eating (particularly fatty foods) or drinking (particularly alcohol); however, although abdominal pain is present in the vast majority of cases of chronic pancreatitis, there are some people who present with no pain, which can make the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis a challenge. Other medical conditions that may present with right upper quadrant abdominal pain include:  Liver and/or biliary tract diseases, which can be screened for with blood tests.  A muscular or soft tissue injury. Other gastrointestinal or bowel diseases, which can be assess for with blood tests, stool tests, and possibly a colonoscopy. Note that, if you are experiencing all of the above symptoms that are suggestive of chronic pancreatitis (unintended weight loss, abnormal fatty stools, and upper abdominal pain, in addition to possible nausea and/or vomiting), chances are that you do in fact have pancreatitis (as opposed to another medical condition). This is because, while each symptom on its own is relatively non-specific (and may be caused by a number of medical problems), the constellation of all of them together paints the picture of likely pancreatitis.  Note, however, that you will need to proceed with a series of diagnostic tests and evaluations to confirm (or rule out) the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis. It is not a diagnosis that can be made on the basis of symptoms alone; rather, symptoms are used to guide your doctor when they have reason to suspect that you may indeed have pancreatitis. The number one risk factor for developing chronic pancreatitis is consuming large amounts of alcohol. If you have been a heavy drinker in your life (consuming multiple drinks daily for several years), this greatly increases the chance that the symptoms you are experiencing are the result of chronic pancreatitis (as opposed to another condition).
A: Notice unintended weight loss. Examine your stools. Watch for upper abdominal pain. Tell your doctor about the sum total of your symptoms. Take note if you have a history of alcohol consumption.

Q: You may see large open wounds or pieces of bone that have broken your skin and are sticking out of your skin. These are signs of a severe fracture, known as a compound fracture. If you have these symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention.As well, if there a lot of blood coming from an open wound on your finger, you should see a doctor. If part of your finger is pointing in a different direction, the bone is probably broken or dislocated. A dislocated finger occurs when the bone has moved out of position and usually looks deformed at a joint, such as your knuckle. You should see a doctor if you have a dislocated finger.  There are three bones in each of your fingers and they are all arranged in the same manner. The first bone is the proximal phalanx, the second bone is the middle phalanx, and the bone farthest from your hand is the distal phalanx. Because your thumb is the shortest finger, it does not have a middle phalanx. Your knuckles are joints formed by the bones of your fingers. Often, you break your finger at the knuckles, or the joints.  Breaks at the base of your finger (the distal phalanx) are usually easier to treat than fractures at your joints or knuckles. If your finger is not deformed or bruised, and the pain and swelling eventually subside, you may have just sprained your finger. A sprain means you have stretched the ligaments, which are the bands of tissue that hold the bones in your finger together at the joint. If you think you have a sprained finger, avoid using the finger. Check to see if the pain and swelling gets better over the next day or two. If the pain and swelling does not go away, you should get medical treatment to confirm the finger is only sprained and not fractured or broken. A physical and x-rays will determine this.
A:
Examine your finger for any exposed cuts or bones. Check if your finger looks deformed. Note if the pain and swelling goes down after a couple of hours.