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.
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.
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:
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.
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.