Pancreatitis: Symptoms and Treatment

Inflammation of the pancreas is known as pancreatitis. When pancreatitis sets in, the enzymes that should be digesting food are activated prematurely and instead attack the pancreas. The result is discomfort, pain and other unwanted symptoms.

Risk factors for pancreatitis include being African American or male, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, smoking and having a family history of the disease. If not treated properly, pancreatitis can be life threatening.

Acute pancreatitis can be brought on by gallstones. Once the gallstones are removed, people with acute pancreatitis typically experience lasting pain relief. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, does not improve over time.

Known causes of pancreatitis include gallstones, alcohol, autoimmune conditions, genetic disorders, abdominal injury and infections.

Many digestive health problems can be managed by your primary care provider. Find a provider accepting new patients. If necessary, he or she can refer you to one of our board-certified gastroenterologists.

Where Is Your Pancreas?

Tucked behind the stomach in the upper abdomen, the pancreas sits near the beginning of the small intestine. From there, this 4.7- to 7.1-inch organ produces insulin to regulate blood sugar levels and digestive juices (enzymes) to break down food in the intestines.

Pancreatitis Signs and Symptoms

Almost all cases of pancreatitis result in abdominal pain that often spreads to the back. However, people may experience the pain differently — it may start slowly or immediately, be mild or severe, last for a few days or be long-lasting, cease when the pancreatitis worsens, or increase with eating.

Additionally, the following symptoms may accompany pancreatitis pain:

• Abdominal swelling or tenderness
• Fever, nausea and vomiting
• Rapid heartbeat
• Unexplained weight loss (chronic pancreatitis)

If these signs and symptoms are present, seek immediate medical attention. They may indicate infection, inflammation or blockage of a pancreatic duct (a tube that passes enzymes along for digestion).

To diagnose pancreatitis, your physician will perform a physical exam and diagnostic tests. For a definitive diagnosis, he or she will order imaging tests, such as ultrasound and a CT scan.

Pancreatitis Treatment

In addition to being a painful condition, pancreatitis increases the risk for other problems — chronic pancreatitis significantly increases your risk for pancreatic cancer. Therefore, appropriate, timely treatment is essential to long-term health and well-being.

Treatment for pancreatitis involves lifestyle changes and medication. Surgery is recommended in severe cases that don’t respond to less-invasive treatments.

• Lifestyle changes are tailored to your individual needs. You may need to avoid alcohol, stop smoking or reach and maintain a healthy weight. Because fatty foods can cause flare-ups of pancreatitis symptoms, a healthy diet is also helpful for long-term management.
• Medication can provide immediate pain relief. Other prescriptions are used to help the body digest and absorb food properly. Supplements may be necessary, as pancreatitis can cause nutrient deficiencies.
• Surgery is necessary in some cases of pancreatitis. It may involve removing part of all of the diseased pancreas or opening a blockage in the pancreatic duct. One procedure, known as islet transplantation, is often coupled with pancreas removal. For this procedure, cell groups known as islets, which create insulin and other hormones, are taken from the removed pancreas and transplanted back into the body. They then return to their hormone-making duties.