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.
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.
Chronic 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.
“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:
- Pain in the upper belly
- Abdominal pain that radiates to the back
- Tenderness when touching the belly
- Fever
- Rapid pulse
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
As for chronic pancreatitis, potential signs include:
- Pain in the upper belly
- Stomach pain that feels worse after eating
- Unexplained weight loss
- Oily, foul-smelling stools
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.
