Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas—a large, flat organ located behind your stomach in your upper abdomen. The pancreas performs two functions vital to your body’s digestive process:
- stores and releases digestive enzymes into the small intestine
- releases insulin and glucagon, which are hormones that regulate blood sugar
Normally, the pancreas releases these digestive aids into the duodenum, where they become activated. With pancreatitis, the enzymes become activated before they leave the pancreas, attacking tissue and causing inflammation.
Acute Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly, usually lasts a few days, and is most commonly a result of gallstones (hardened bile) or an alcohol binge. Other causes include:
- trauma to the pancreas
- certain medications (e.g. antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs)
- underlying conditions (e.g. cystic fibrosis and hepatitis)
- scorpion bites
- anatomic variations in the pancreas
If you experience pain in your upper abdomen that radiates to your back, worsens after eating, and relents when hunching forward, you may have acute pancreatitis. The condition is also marked by the following symptoms:
- nausea and vomiting
- a tender abdomen
- a rapid pulse
- fever
- an increase in white blood cells
Chronic Pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis is an ongoing condition that doesn’t go away and is usually caused by years of heavy alcohol consumption or recurring bouts of acute pancreatitis, which slowly destroy the pancreas. Sometimes, however, the cause is unknown. Symptoms include:
- periods of upper abdominal pain and distention
- foul-smelling stools (steathorrhea)
- diarrhea
- unintended weight loss
- diabetes
Tests & Treatments
If you are suspected to have either acute or chronic pancreatitis, your doctor will first perform a thorough physical examination and review of your medical history. High levels of the enzymes lipase and amylase in a blood sample can indicate acute pancreatitis; however, enzyme levels often appear normal in chronic pancreatitis. Your doctor may check your stool for excess fat—which is especially common in chronic pancreatitis— or order imaging tests like CT scans, ultrasounds, and MRIs to detect the presence of gallstones and to determine the type and severity of pancreatitis.
Treatment usually requires hospitalization. You will be required to give the pancreas a rest by abstaining from food for a few days. You may be given an IV to replenish lost fluid and nutrition and medication to manage the pain. In more severe cases, surgery is necessary to remove damaged tissue or gallstones. If your pancreatitis is alcohol-induced, you must abstain from alcohol and maintain a low-fat diet. Your doctor may also prescribe supplemental enzymes and insulin if your pancreas has been significantly damaged.
Complications & Prevention
Pancreatitis can result in the following complications:
- internal bleeding
- tissue death
- malnutrition
- infection
- diabetes
- sometimes death, depending on the type
The best way to prevent both acute and chronic pancreatitis is by:
- limiting your alcohol and fat intake
- quitting smoking
- drinking plenty of water
