Pancreatic Disease
Home : : Gastroenterology : : Pancreatic Disease
Gastroenterology Treatments
Pancreatitis is inflammation in the pancreas. The pancreas is a long, flat gland that sits tucked behind the stomach in the upper abdomen. The pancreas produces enzymes that help digestion and hormones that help regulate the way your body processes sugar (glucose).
Pancreatitis can occur as acute pancreatitis — meaning it appears suddenly and lasts for days. Or pancreatitis can occur as chronic pancreatitis, which is pancreatitis that occurs over many years.
Mild cases of pancreatitis may go away without treatment, but severe cases can cause life-threatening complications.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of pancreatitis may vary, depending on which type you experience.
Acute pancreatitis signs and symptoms include:
- Upper abdominal pain
- Abdominal pain that radiates to your back
- Abdominal pain that feels worse after eating
- Fever
- Rapid pulse
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Causes
Pancreatitis occurs when digestive enzymes become activated while still in the pancreas, irritating the cells of your pancreas and causing inflammation.
With repeated bouts of acute pancreatitis, damage to the pancreas can occur and lead to chronic pancreatitis. Scar tissue may form in the pancreas, causing loss of function.
Conditions that can lead to pancreatitis include:
- Abdominal surgery
- Alcoholism
- Certain medications
- Cystic fibrosis
- Gallstones
- Infection
- Injury to the abdomen
- Obesity
- Pancreatic cancer
Risk factors
Factors that increase your risk of pancreatitis include:
- Excessive alcohol consumption: Research shows that heavy alcohol users are at increased risk of pancreatitis.
- Cigarette smoking: Smokers are on average three times more likely to develop chronic pancreatitis, compared with nonsmokers.
- Obesity: You’re more likely to get pancreatitis if you’re obese.
- Family history of pancreatitis: The role of genetics is becoming increasingly recognized in chronic pancreatitis.