Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is inflammation in the tissues of the pancreas. The pancreas is a long, flat gland that sits behind the stomach in the upper abdomen. The pancreas produces enzymes that assist digestion and hormones that help regulate the way your body processes sugar.

Pancreatitis happens when digestive enzymes start digesting the pancreas itself.

Pancreatitis can be acute pancreatitis — meaning it appears suddenly and lasts for days – or chronic pancreatitis – meaning it occurs over many years. Both forms are serious and can lead to life-threatening complications.

Treatment for pancreatitis usually includes administration of fluids, nuitritional support, and medicines to relieve pain.

Pancreatitis occurs when digestive enzymes produced in your pancreas become activated while inside the pancreas, causing damage to the organ.

Several causes have been identified for acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis, including:

• alcoholism or heavy alcohol use
• gallstones
• abdominal surgery
• certain medications
• cigarette smoking
• cystic fibrosis
• endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), when used to treat gallstones
• family history of pancreatitis
• high calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia), which may be caused by an overactive parathyroid gland (hyperparathyroidism)
• high triglyceride levels in the blood (hypertriglyceridemia)
• infection
• injury to the abdomen
• pancreatic cancer

Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly and usually goes away in a few days with treatment. It is often caused by gallstones.

Chronic pancreatitis does not heal or improve. It gets worse over time and leads to permanent damage. The most common cause is heavy alcohol use. Other causes include cystic fibrosis and other inherited disorders, high levels of calcium or fats in the blood, some medicines, and autoimmune conditions.

Seek prompt care for severe upper-abdominal pain that may spread to the back, especially with nausea, vomiting, or fever. Sudden, severe abdominal pain is a medical emergency.