Chronic Pancreatitis

What is Chronic Pancreatitis?

The inflammation of the pancreas that does not heal with time is known as chronic pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis results in permanent damage and scarring. It leads to the development of calcium stones in the pancreas, which can lead to the blockage of the tube or the pipe that carries digestive enzymes and juices to your stomach. The blockage may bring down the amount of pancreatic enzymes and hormones, which makes it harder for your body to control the blood sugar levels and digest food. This can bring about genuine medical issues, including diabetes & malnutrition.

Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms of Chronic pancreatitis are:

  • Oily, smelly stools (steatorrhea)
  • Losing weight without trying
  • Upper abdominal pain

Show More

Causes

Reasons that may lead to Chronic pancreatitis are:

  • Infection
  • High calcium levels in the blood, which may be caused by an overactive parathyroid gland.
  • Alcoholism
  • Certain medications
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Family history of pancreatitis
  • Gallstones
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Injury to the abdomen
  • Abdominal surgery
  • High triglyceride levels in the blood
  • Smoking

Show More

Risks

  • Age: With increasing age the chances of chronic pancreatitis increases. Almost all the patients are aged above 45.
  • Gender: Due to the higher use of tobacco by men, they are at higher risk of developing chronic pancreatitis as compared to women.
  • Family history: Although this is a risk factor for chronic pancreatitis, many people who develop this disease did not have a family member with this disease in the past.

Show More

Prevention

The disease can be prevented by the following means:

  • Eat a low-fat diet
  • Don’t smoke
  • Limit alcohol consumption
  • Skip crash diets
  • Exercise regularly and try to lose excess weight

Show More

How is it diagnosed?

The doctor will carry out a normal physical examination. If they doubt that you have chronic pancreatitis they will refer some tests to you for further diagnosis.

...

How is it treated?

Treatment of pancreatitis depends on the situation and cause of your pancreatitis. The treatment is different for every patient.

..

  • Pain medication

    Patient experiences severe pain during pancreatitis, so the doctor prescribes some pain killers to help control the pain.

  • Fasting

    The pancreas is given some time to recover during your initial days at the hospital, so during this period you are not allowed to eat anything.

  • Intravenous fluids

    You will be given extra fluids through a vein in your arm, because your body requires fluids & energy to repair your pancreas.

  • Surgery

    Surgical treatment is required after your pancreatitis is brought under control depending on the reason behind your pancreatitis:

    • Pancreas surgery
    • Procedure to remove bile duct obstructions
    • Treatment for alcohol dependence
    • Gallbladder surgery

When do I contact the doctor?

Take an appointment with your doctor in case you have persevering abdominal pain. In case your abdominal pain is severe to the point that you can't sit still, seek immediate mediacal assistance. 

Book an Appointment

How does Medanta provide care?

The Medanta Institute of Digestive and Hepatobiliary Sciences has been set up with an aim to provide supreme quality diagnostic and therapeutic services to patients suffering from any disorder associated with the digestive tract. The institute enc..

Consult with experienced doctors

Book an Appointment

Get treated in specialised institutes and departments

  • Have a question?

    Call us +91 - 124 - 4141414

Feedback