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Chronic pancreatitis is a condition where the pancreas has become permanently damaged from inflammation and stops working properly. The pancreas is a small organ, located behind the stomach, that helps with digestion. Chronic pancreatitis can affect people of any age. It is more common in men.
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- Overview
- What Causes Chronic Pancreatitis?
- Who Is at Risk for Getting Chronic Pancreatitis?
- What Are the Symptoms of Chronic Pancreatitis?
- How Is Chronic Pancreatitis Diagnosed?
- How Is Chronic Pancreatitis Treated?
- What Are the Possible Complications of Chronic Pancreatitis?
- Long-Term Outlook
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Chronic pancreatitis can occur due to autoimmune disease, long-term alcohol misuse, and other health conditions. It can cause painful symptoms and affect your digestion.
Chronic pancreatitis is an inflammation of your pancreas that doesn’t improve over time.
The pancreas is an organ located behind your stomach. It makes enzymes, which are special proteins that help digest your food. It also makes hormones that control the level of sugar in your bloodstream.
Pancreatitis occurs when your pancreas becomes inflamed. Pancreatitis is considered acute when the inflammation comes on suddenly and only lasts for a short period of time. It’s considered chronic when it keeps coming back or when the inflammation doesn’t heal for months or years.
There are numerous different causes of chronic pancreatitis. The most common cause is long-term alcohol abuse. Approximately 70 percent of cases are linked to alcohol consumption.
Autoimmune disease occurs when your body mistakenly attacks your healthy cells and tissues. Inflammatory bowel syndrome, which is inflammation of the digestive tract, and primary biliary cholangitis, which is a chronic liver disease associated with chronic pancreatitis.
Other causes include:
•autoimmune disease, which occurs when your body mistakenly attacks your healthy cells and tissues
•a narrow pancreatic duct, which is the tube that carries enzymes from the pancreas to the small intestine
•a blockage of the pancreatic duct by either gallstones or pancreatic stones
Abusing alcohol increases your risk of developing chronic pancreatitis. Smoking is believed to increase the risk of pancreatitis among alcoholics. In some cases, a family history of chronic pancreatitis can increase your risk.
Chronic pancreatitis most frequently develops in people between the ages of 30 and 40. The condition is also more common among men than women.
At first, you may not notice any symptoms. Changes in your pancreas can become quite advanced before you begin to feel unwell. When symptoms occur, they may include:
•pain in your upper abdomen
•diarrhea
•fatty stools, which are loose, pale, and don’t flush away easily
•nausea and vomiting
•shortness of breath
During the early stages of chronic pancreatitis, changes in your pancreas are difficult to see in blood tests. For this reason, blood tests typically aren’t used to diagnose the disease. However, they may be used to determine the amount of pancreatic enzymes in your blood. Blood tests may also be used to check blood cell counts along with kidney and liver function. Your doctor might ask you for a stool sample to test for levels of fat. Fatty stools could be a sign that your body isn’t absorbing nutrients correctly.
Imaging tests are the most reliable way for your doctor to make a diagnosis. Your doctor might request that the following studies be done on your abdomen to look for signs of inflammation:
•X-rays
•ultrasounds
•CT scans
•MRI scans
Treatment for chronic pancreatitis focuses on reducing your pain and improving your digestive function. The damage to your pancreas can’t be undone, but with the proper care, you should be able to manage many of your symptoms. Treatment for pancreatitis can include medication, endoscopic therapies, or surgery.
Chronic pancreatitis has the potential to cause numerous complications. You’re at greater risk of developing complications if you continue to drink alcohol after you’ve been diagnosed.
Nutrient malabsorption is one of the most common complications. Since your pancreas isn’t producing enough digestive enzymes, your body isn’t absorbing nutrients properly. This can lead to malnutrition.
The development of diabetes is another possible complication. Pancreatitis damages the cells that produce insulin and glucagon, which are the hormones that control the amount of sugar in your blood. This can lead to an increase in blood sugar levels. About 45 percent of people with chronic pancreatitis will get diabetes.
Some people will also develop pseudocysts, which are fluid-filled growths that can form inside or outside of your pancreas. Pseudocysts are dangerous because they can block important ducts and blood vessels. They may become infected in some cases.
The outlook depends on the severity and underlying cause of the disease. Other factors can affect your chances of recovery, including your age at diagnosis and whether you continue to drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment can improve the outlook. Call your doctor right away if you notice any symptoms of pancreatitis.
Chronic pancreatitis is an inflammation of your pancreas that doesn’t improve over time. It can cause pain, digestive problems, and complications such as malnutrition and diabetes. Learn about the causes, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment options for chronic pancreatitis.
Chronic pancreatitis is a long-standing inflammation of the pancreas. Although the condition is rare, between 6,000 and 12,000 people in the UK are given a new diagnosis every year. Men are more likely than women to develop chronic pancreatitis, and those in their middle to late years are most susceptible.
Chronic pancreatitis is a chronic, irreversible, inflammation and/or fibrosis of the pancreas, often characterized by severe pain and progressive endocrine and exocrine insufficiency.
Chronic pancreatitis is a condition where the pancreas (a small organ located behind the stomach and below the ribcage) becomes permanently damaged from inflammation. It’s different to acute pancreatitis, where the inflammation is only short-term.
Feb 6, 2024 · Chronic pancreatitis is most commonly associated with chronic alcohol ingestion (>75%). Hallmark features are epigastric abdominal pain radiating to the back, steatorrhoea, malnutrition, and diabetes mellitus. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings and imaging.
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. Inflammation is immune system activity that can cause swelling, pain, and changes in how an organ or tissues work. The pancreas is a long, flat gland that's tucked behind the stomach. The pancreas helps the body digest food and regulates blood sugars.
