Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, its own powerful digestive enzymes can cause damage to its own tissue, leading to the release of inflammatory cells and toxins that can harm your lungs, kidneys, and heart.

There are two forms of pancreatitis:

• Acute pancreatitis (sudden and short-term inflammation episode)
• Chronic pancreatitis (ongoing inflammation)

The pancreas is an organ located in the upper abdomen. It is connected to the beginning of the small intestine (duodenum) and releases digestive enzymes into the small intestine through the pancreatic duct.

The pancreas has two main functions:

• Producing digestive enzymes (chemicals) and releasing them into the small intestine, where these enzymes break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in the food.
• Producing various hormones that regulate the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood, including insulin, which helps provide and store energy.

What Causes Pancreatitis?

Gallstones or excessive alcohol consumption are common causes of pancreatitis. In rare cases, the following factors can also lead to pancreatitis:

• Medications (many drugs can irritate the pancreas)
• High triglyceride levels (fats in the blood)
• Infections
• Abdominal injury
• Metabolic disorders like diabetes
• Genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis

Who is at Risk of Pancreatitis?

The likelihood of developing pancreatitis is higher in the following situations:

• Men
• Family history of pancreatitis
• Family history of gallstones or gallbladder disease
• Obesity, high triglycerides (fats in the blood), or diabetes
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption

What Are the Symptoms of Pancreatitis?

The symptoms of pancreatitis vary depending on the type of the condition:

Acute Pancreatitis Symptoms:

• Moderate to severe upper abdominal pain that may radiate to the back
• Pain that suddenly appears or develops over a few days
• Pain that worsens after eating
• Abdominal bloating and tenderness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Rapid heartbeat

Chronic Pancreatitis Symptoms:

Chronic pancreatitis can cause symptoms similar to acute pancreatitis. Additionally, the following may develop:

• Persistent and uncomfortable pain that may radiate to the back
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatty, foamy stools with visible oil droplets (steatorrhea)
• Diabetes (high blood sugar) if the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas are damaged

How Is Pancreatitis Diagnosed?

Your doctor may suspect pancreatitis based on your symptoms and risk factors such as alcohol use or gallbladder disease. Additional tests may be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

Diagnosis of Acute Pancreatitis:
For acute pancreatitis, your doctor may request a blood test to measure the levels of two digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas (amylase and lipase). Elevated levels of these enzymes indicate acute pancreatitis. An ultrasound or computed tomography (CT scan) can visualize the pancreas, gallbladder, and any abnormalities.

Diagnosis of Chronic Pancreatitis

Diagnosing chronic pancreatitis is more complex and may require the following tests:

• Secretin Pancreatic Function Test: This test assesses your pancreas’ response to a hormone (secretin) released by the small intestine. Secretin typically triggers the release of pancreatic digestive secretions. Your doctor will insert a tube through your throat and stomach to the upper part of the small intestine and measure the response after administering secretin.
• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: If your doctor suspects damage to the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, they may request this test. It evaluates your body’s sugar utilization by taking a blood sample before and after drinking a sugary liquid.
• Fecal Test: To assess whether your body is having difficulty breaking down fats, your stool sample may be requested.
• Endoscopic Ultrasound (Endosonography): Internal (endoscopic) ultrasound produces clearer images of your pancreas and connecting ducts (tubes). Your doctor will insert a thin tube with a small ultrasound attachment through your throat, stomach, and into your small intestine. Endoscopic ultrasound provides detailed pictures of your internal organs, including a part of the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts.
• ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography): A small, camera-equipped tube is passed through your throat, stomach, and into the small intestine to the area called the ampulla, where the pancreas and bile duct open. A dye is injected into the pancreas and/or bile duct, allowing your doctor to visualize them. Any blockages, such as gallstones or pancreatic stones, can be removed with this procedure.

How is Pancreatitis Treated?

A doctor specialized in gastroenterology should manage your condition.
To treat acute pancreatitis, doctors may use one or more of these methods:

• Hospitalization with supportive care and monitoring
• Administration of pain-relieving medications for comfort
• Endoscopic procedures or surgery to remove gallstones, other obstructions, or damaged parts of the pancreas
• Pancreatic enzyme and insulin supplementation if your pancreas is not functioning well.

Procedures Used in Pancreatitis Treatment

Complications like pancreatic pseudocysts (inflammatory cyst type) or infected pancreatic tissue are managed through an endoscopic procedure (a tube is passed from your throat to your small intestine next to your pancreas).
Gallstones and pancreatic stones are removed through an endoscopic procedure.
If surgery is recommended, surgeons often prefer laparoscopy. This surgical technique is performed through smaller incisions, which allows for a quicker recovery. During laparoscopic surgery, your surgeon inserts a laparoscope (a small camera and a lighted instrument) through keyhole-sized incisions in your abdomen. The images obtained during the procedure can be viewed on a monitor.

Can Pancreatitis Be Prevented?

The best way to prevent pancreatitis is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The goals should include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Engaging in regular exercise
• Quitting smoking
• Avoiding alcohol.

These healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent gallstones, which account for 40% of acute pancreatitis cases. If numerous gallstones are causing your pain, your gallbladder may be recommended for removal.

How Long Does Pancreatitis Last?

Acute pancreatitis lasts only a few days, but in more severe cases, recovery may take from a few weeks to several months. Chronic pancreatitis requires lifelong management.

Does Pancreatitis Heal?

With treatment, most individuals with acute pancreatitis recover completely. Chronic pancreatitis is a long-term condition, and when the pancreas is severely damaged, it cannot function properly, requiring continuous support for digesting food and managing blood sugar.

Does Pancreatitis Recur?

In chronic pancreatitis, painful attacks can recur or persist for an extended period.
Acute pancreatitis can also recur, especially if the underlying problem is not addressed. For instance, if you have another gallstone obstructing the pancreas, you may experience another episode of acute pancreatitis.

Does Pancreatitis Pose a Life-Threat?

Mild acute pancreatitis typically leads to a full recovery. However, severe cases of pancreatitis carry a high risk of life-threatening complications, including:

• Pancreatic infection
• Bleeding or damage to the pseudocyst
• Development of heart, lung, or kidney failure due to the spread of infection or pancreatic toxins to the bloodstream.”