Chronic pancreatitis is swelling (inflammation) of the pancreas that leads to scarring and loss of function. The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach that produces chemicals needed to digest food. It also produces the hormones insulin and glucagon.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Chronic pancreatitis causes inflammation and scarring of tissue in the pancreas. This makes the pancreas unable to produce the right amount of chemicals (enzymes) needed to digest fat. It also interferes with insulin production, which may lead to diabetes.
The condition is most often caused by alcoholism and alcohol abuse. Sometimes the cause cannot be determined, however. Genetic causes have become more common. Other conditions have also been linked to chronic pancreatitis, such as:
The symptoms may become more frequent as the condition gets worse. The symptoms may mimic pancreatic cancer. Sitting up and leaning forward may sometimes relieve the abdominal pain of pancreatitis.
Abdominal pain (6 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Abdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly. Reviewer: Jacob L. Heller, M.D., M.H.A., F.A.C.E.P., Section of Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 04/25/2008
Abdomen - swollen(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A swollen abdomen is when your belly area is bigger than usual. See also: Abdominal girth Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 11/16/2008
Amylase - blood(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Amylase is an enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates. It is produced mainly in the pancreas and the glands that make saliva. When the pancreas is diseased or inflamed, amylase releases into the blood. A test can be done to measure the level of this enzyme in your blood. Amylase may also be measured with a urine test. See amylase - urine. Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 01/28/2009
Abdominal CT scan (13 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
An abdominal CT scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomography. See also: CT scan Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 02/23/2009
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