What is pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis refers to inflammation (swelling) of the pancreas that is most often caused by gallstones or heavy alcohol abuse. There are other causes that your gastroenterologist will look for, as well.
Pancreatitis often starts as a sudden attack of upper belly pain.
Treatment for pancreatitis usually focuses on easing pain and meeting the fluid and nutritional needs of the patient.
There are two types of pancreatitis: acute and chronic.
Both have similar symptoms that can be recurrent and either mild or severe.
| Acute pancreatitis | Chronic pancreatitis |
| Can occur suddenly and goes away within a few days. | Takes many years to develop and does not go away, since the pancreas is permanently injured or scarred. |
| Most often caused by gallstones or heavy alcohol use, but there are other causes. Sometimes, no cause can be found. | Chronic pancreatitis can be associated with frequent flare-ups or persistent symptoms such as pain, diabetes or issues digesting fat. |
| Most cases are mild. | Many patients with chronic pancreatitis will have calcifications of the pancreas that show on a computerized tomography (CT) scan. |
| Mostly involves a short hospital stay to heal the pancreas. | Most people with chronic pancreatitis have a good outlook if they follow their management plan. |
Chronic and acute pancreatitis have similar symptoms, but a few vary. You may have a few or all of these symptoms:
- A slow or sudden severe pain in the middle part of the upper belly going through to your back. This pain may get worse when you eat and builds to a pain that does not go away.
- Nausea and throwing up.
- Weight loss.
- Greasy or oily stools.
- Diarrhea (loose stool).
- Diabetes.
- Jaundice (when your skin and/or the whites of your eyes turn yellow). This is rare.
If you have unexplained weight loss that lasts more than a few weeks, call your doctor.
Tests for pancreatitis
In talking with your doctor about your symptoms, he or she may order certain tests to find out if you have pancreatitis and to see if it is acute or chronic.
You can expect your doctor to:
Take your medical history and do an exam of your belly
Be sure to give your doctor a list of all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements.
Be sure to tell your doctor how much alcohol you drink and cigarettes you smoke (if any).
Take blood
Your blood can show the doctor your pancreatic enzyme levels. High levels may be a sign you have acute pancreatitis, while low levels can be seen in chronic pancreatitis.
X-ray or other imaging test
This will show how hurt or scarred your pancreas may be. Most likely, you will be awake for the test, but it will not hurt.
Examples of imaging tests are:
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan.
- Magnetic resonance imaging/cholangiopancreatography (MRI/MRCP). MRI is a medical imaging scan used to view detailed images of the organs and tissues within the body. MRCP is a medical imaging test that looks at your bile and pancreas ducts.
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).
Treatments for pancreatitis
Treating either acute or chronic pancreatitis calls for similar plans. Most cases of acute pancreatitis can go away within a week, while chronic pancreatitis can often be managed if the treatment plan is followed properly.
You may need to stay at the hospital for a few days (with acute pancreatitis).
You will be given antibiotics if there is evidence of a bacterial infection. If needed, you can ask for medicine to help ease any pain.
You will initially be given IV fluids through a vein, then you will be able to gradually eat.
You might have an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
- This is used to treat your pancreas if something is blocking it or a bile duct is enlarged. Learn more about ERCP.
If the cause of your acute pancreatitis is gallstones, you might be told to have your gallbladder removed to put off further attacks.
Your doctor may give you a special, temporary diet to follow as part of your plan to cut the amount of fats you eat, since your body has trouble digesting fat.
You may need to take pancreatic enzyme supplements with each meal. These supplements will help your body absorb food and help you get back some of the lost weight.
If you drink alcohol, you need to stop drinking. If you smoke cigarettes, you need to stop smoking.
Complications of pancreatitis
Pancreatitis can cause other issues, so caring for it the right way is very important to stop other problems from occurring. Talk to your doctor about ways to stop future attacks or future health issues.
Acute pancreatitis complications
Gallstones can be the reason for acute pancreatitis. You may need surgery to remove the stones or the gallbladder.
Endoscopic procedures, percutaneous drains or surgery may be needed to drain infected areas.
- This test is like the other pH monitoring test, except there is no tube coming out your nose
and it can last more than 48 hours (or two days). - It is very important to ask your provider what medicines you should or should not take before
and during this test. - During an upper GI endoscopy, your health care provider will attach a small capsule to the
inside of your esophagus. This capsule will fall off on its own. You do not need to retrieve it. - The capsule will measure the acid levels in your esophagus and send the data to a receiver
that you need to carry with you for 48–96 hours. - Keeping a diary of what you eat, when you eat and how you feel is very important during the
test. - Your provider will give you specifics on what to do.
- This test is an X-ray that takes pictures of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum and small intestine.
- You will need to drink a chalky liquid called barium while X-ray pictures are taken. The barium makes it easier for the health care provider to see.
- These pictures can be used to make a diagnosis and plan more specific treatments.
Chronic pancreatitis complications
Can cause severe stomach and/or back pain.
These often resolve on their own. If not treated, pseudocysts could cause symptoms. These can be drained with endoscopy, such as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).
Calcification of the pancreas (the tissue becomes hard). Pancreatic stones may block the main pancreatic duct and need an ERCP to be removed. Surgery may be needed to remove or drain part of the pancreas.
In many cases, chronic pancreatitis can cause diabetes and reduce bone strength.
In many cases, chronic pancreatitis can reduce bone strength.
Pancreatic cancer develops more frequently in patients with chronic pancreatitis.
