About this topic
The pancreas is an organ that makes and releases enzymes. These help you break down the food you eat. The pancreas gives off a hormone called insulin. This hormone controls the sugar levels in your blood. Pancreatitis is the swelling or irritation of the pancreas. Chronic pancreatitis is when the swelling goes on for a long time. This may damage your pancreas. Damage to the pancreas can cause diabetes. ‚
Treatment is focused on a few things. Doctors will help to control your pain. They will also work to help your digestion and treat your diabetes. You may need to change some activities in your life. Surgery may be needed if the pain or other problems continue. ‚
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What are the causes?
Many times, a cause for this illness is found. Sometimes, a reason for chronic pancreatitis is not known. Many things can cause ongoing injury to the pancreas like: ‚
- Ongoing alcohol abuse. This is the most common cause.
- Autoimmune problems where the body attacks itself by mistake
- Blockages of tubes that drain enzymes out of the pancreas. This may be due to gallstones, tumors, or a cyst. An injury or a birth defect can also cause a block.
- Illnesses like cystic fibrosis, mumps, too much parathyroid, or too many triglycerides
- Using certain drugs, such as corticosteroids
- Problems with your genes
- High levels of calcium in the blood
What can make this more likely to happen?
This illness happens most often in men. It is more common between 30 and 40 years of age. Being a heavy alcohol drinker or smoker raises your risk. So does having a family history of chronic pancreatitis. ‚
What are the main signs?
- Pain in the belly area ¢ ˆ ’ This may last for hours or days. The pain may go up your back. You may have pain all the time. It may get worse with eating, drinking, or drinking alcohol.
- Problems with breaking down food ¢ ˆ ’ This can lead to an upset stomach, throwing up, loose stools, and weight loss.
- Stools may be pale, grayish, fatty, or oily
- Fever
- Yellowing of the skin (jaundice) if a bile duct is blocked
- Dehydration
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will do an exam and take your history. The doctor will feel your belly area. You may need to have: ‚
- Lab tests
- CT scan
- Ultrasound of the belly area
- X-ray
- Special tests on your pancreas
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Your care will depend on your signs. Your doctor may order: ‚
- Drugs
- You to stop eating and drinking for a short while. This will rest your pancreas.
- You may need an I.V. for fluids
- You may need an NG tube. This is a tube that is put in the nose and goes into the stomach
- Special diet
- You may need to work with a dietician to learn what foods are good for you to eat.
- Eat smaller meals more often. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of fluids each day. Limit caffeine.
- Avoid beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Eat a diet low in fat to help with loose stools, bloating, and cramping.
- Stay away from sugars and fats. Limit sweets and fatty foods such as desserts, fried foods, and chips. Use good fats found in fish, nuts, avocados, and oils, like olive oil and canola oil. Cut back on solid fats (butter, lard, margarine).
- Insulin, if needed
- Surgery ¢ ˆ ’ This will help to fix a block. Sometimes, you may need to have part or all of your pancreas taken out.
Are there other health problems to treat?
Because of this condition, you may have problems with digestion or high blood sugar. Both of these may need treatment. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Help your body digest food better
- Help you gain weight
- Improve nutrition
- Help with an upset stomach, throwing up, and loose stools
What problems could happen?
- Extra fluid can collect in the belly
- Blockage of the small intestine or bile tubes
- Fluid build-up in the pancreas that can get infected
- You can get diabetes
- Vitamins or nutrients may not get absorbed in the body
- Pancreatic cancer (rare)
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Avoid excessive use of beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- If you have acute pancreatitis, get treatment right away. If you do not get treatment, ongoing problems can happen and chronic pancreatitis may result.
- Avoid smoking.
- If you have gallstones, get treatment right away.
Where can I learn more?
American Gastroenterological Association ‚
http://www.gastro.org/patient-center/digestive-conditions/pancreatitis ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pancreatitis-chronic/Pages/Treatment.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚