Chronic Pancreatitis

What is Chronic Pancreatitis?

Pancreas is a hardworking organ. It makes enzymes that help you digest food. It also makes insulin to keep your blood sugar levels under control. Chronic pancreatitis results in structural changes in pancreas. there may be dialation of the pancreatic duct and loss of pancreatic substance and tissues.

What causes Chronic Pancreatitis?

If you have chronic pancreatitis, the digestive enzymes that would normally travel by tubes inside your pancreas and empty into your upper intestine, become trapped inside your pancreas. This causes pain and scarring. The trapped enzymes slowly destroy your pancreas.

The most common cause of chronic pancreatitis is drinking too much alcohol over many years. Other causes include:

An attack of acute pancreatitis that damages your pancreatic ducts
A blockage of the main pancreatic duct caused by cancer
Certain autoimmune disorders
Cystic fibrosis
Hereditary diseases of the pancreas
Smoking
Unknown cause in some cases

What are the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis?

Early symptoms of chronic pancreatitis are similar to acute pancreatitis. Symptoms are occasionl and include:

Pain in the upper belly that spreads into the back
Pain in the belly that gets worse when you eat or drink alcohol
Diarrhea or Oily stools
Nausea and Vomiting
Severe belly (abdominal) pain that may be constant or that comes back
Weight loss

How is Chronic Pancreatitis diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will diagnose you with chronic pancreatitis if:

a) You have a history of acute pancreatitis that comes back or doesn’t get better

b) You have symptoms of chronic pancreatitis

Blood Tests
CT Scan
Abdominal Ultrasound
Endoscopic Ultrasound
ERCP
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography

Treatment for Chronic Pancreatitis?

The several possible treatment measures for chronic pancreatitis are as follows:

Lifestyle changes: People with chronic pancreatitis will need to undergo some lifestyle changes. These will include
1. 1. Stopping alcohol consumption: Giving up drinking will help prevent further damage to the pancreas. It will also contribute significantly towards relieving the pain. Some people may need professional help to quit alcohol.
2. 2. Stopping tobacco use: Smoking is not a cause of pancreatitis, but it can accelerate the progression of the disease.
Medications: Yes, medications can be effective in chronic pancreatitis. The medications can give you relief from the excruciating pain. They can also help you with the digestive process if the level of your enzymes is too low. If you are suffering from autoimmune pancreatitis, the doctor might prescribe you some steroids.
Endoscopy: An endoscope can be used in case of chronic pancreatitis if the condition has resulted from some blockage. The endoscope has the ability to clear the blockage.
Surgery: Surgical methods are indicated in cases of severe chronic pancreatitis where the pain has not responded to medications. unfortunately surgery can help in controlling pain of the patient, it cannot alter the disease process.

What are possible complications of chronic pancreatitis?

Chronic pancreatitis damages the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. This may cause these complications:

Calcification of the pancreas. This means the pancreatic tissue hardens from deposits of calcium salts.
Long-term (chronic) pain
Diabetes
Gallstones
Kidney failure
Buildup of fluid and tissue debris (pseudocysts)
Pancreatic cancer
Acute flare-ups that keep coming back