Chronic Pancreatitis Health Channel

Definition

Chronic pancreatitis is ongoing inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach that produces chemicals needed to digest food, as well as 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.

Persons with chronic pancreatitis have attacks of abdominal pain and digestive problems. The symptoms may become more frequent as the condition gets worse. The symptoms may mimic pancreatic cancer.

The condition is most often caused by alcoholism and alcohol abuse, but sometimes the cause cannot be determined. Genetic causes are become more common. Conditions such as hyperlipidemia or hyperparathyroidism, injury, and chronic blockage of the pancreatic duct are also linked to chronic pancreatitis.

Chronic pancreatitis occurs more frequently in men than in women, perhaps because alcohol-use disorders are more common in men.

Symptoms

• Abdominal pain
  • Greatest in the upper abdomen
  • May last from hours to days
  • Eventually may be continuous
  • May be worsened by eating or drinking
  • May be worsened by alcohol consumption
  • May radiate to the back
• Nausea and vomiting
• Unintentional weight loss
• Fatty stools

Sitting up and leaning forward may sometimes relieve the abdominal pain associated with pancreatitis.

Pale or clay-colored stools may also be associated with this condition.

Signs and tests

• Serum lipase may be higher than normal, but can return to normal as the disease gets worse.