Condition Basics
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ in your belly. It makes digestive enzymes that help your body break down food. It also makes hormones that control sugar, such as insulin.
The digestive enzymes usually stay in one part of the pancreas. But if the pancreas isn't working the way it should, these enzymes may leak into other parts of the pancreas. Or they may leak out of the pancreas. They can irritate it and cause symptoms of pancreatitis. These symptoms include pain and swelling. Other tissues around the pancreas may also get inflamed.
Pancreatitis may happen suddenly (acute). Or it may happen over many years (chronic). If it's chronic, it may cause symptoms that come and go or pain that is constant.
What causes it?
Long-term alcohol use is the most common cause of chronic pancreatitis. Other causes include cystic fibrosis and a recurrent blockage of the ducts that drain the pancreas. Chronic pancreatitis may run in families. And smoking cigarettes also seems to raise the risk for it.
What are the symptoms?
The main symptom is pain in the upper part of the belly. The pain may be mild, and it may feel like it goes through the belly to the back. Sitting up or leaning forward sometimes eases the pain. Pain may be constant or it may come and go.
How is it diagnosed?
Your doctor will do a physical exam and ask you questions about your symptoms and history of pancreatitis. You may have blood tests to see if your levels of pancreatic enzymes are higher than normal. Imaging tests, such as a CT scan, may also be done to look for damage to the pancreas.
How is chronic pancreatitis treated?
With chronic pancreatitis, your doctor will likely recommend eating a low-fat diet and not drinking any alcohol. You may also take medicine to help with pain.
If your pancreas has been badly damaged, you may need to take insulin to help your body control your blood sugar. You also may need to take pancreatic enzyme pills. They can help your body digest fat and protein.
Based on what caused your pancreatitis, you may need a procedure or surgery to treat the cause.
