Most cases of chronic pancreatitis are associated with drinking excessive amounts of alcohol over a long period of time. However, in up to 3 out of 10 people with the condition, the cause can't be identified – known as "idiopathic" chronic pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis can occur as acute pancreatitis — meaning it appears suddenly and lasts for days. Some people develop chronic pancreatitis, which is pancreatitis that occurs over many years.
Chronic pancreatitis is a long-term, progressive condition. It doesn't go away and gets worse over time. It happens when the injury or damage to your pancreas never stops. Chronic pancreatitis will eventually do lasting damage to your pancreas, although it may take many years.
Gallstones are hard pieces of stone-like material that form in your gallbladder. They can trigger acute pancreatitis if they move out of the gallbladder and block the opening of the pancreas. The blockage can disrupt some of the enzymes (chemicals) produced by the pancreas.
Prognosis in chronic pancreatitis
The overall 10-year and 20-year survival rates are estimated to be about 70% and 45%, respectively. For some people, a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis can mean a lifetime of pain and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Chronic pancreatitis can affect people of any age, but is most common in middle-aged men aged between 45 and 54.
Characteristic findings from imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) or ultrasonography in- clude atrophy of the pancreas, a dilated pancreatic duct, and pancreatic calcifications (Figure 1). These features are pathognomonic of chronic pancreatitis and can take 5 to 10 years or more to develop.
The most common causes are alcohol abuse and lumps of solid material (gallstones) in the gallbladder. The goal for treatment is to rest the pancreas and let it heal. You will likely be in the hospital for a few days.
Emotional stress also keeps the stomach and pancreas from releasing enzymes the way they should. Chronic stress can make that worse. Managing chronic stress is critical for people at risk for pancreatitis. Stressors – things that cause stress – can be physical, mental, or a combination of both.
What are the causes of acute pancreatitis? The two most common causes of acute pancreatitis are: gallstones. excessive consumption of alcohol.
Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis
Constant pain in your upper belly that radiates to your back. This pain may be disabling. Diarrhea and weight loss because your pancreas isn't releasing enough enzymes to break down food. Upset stomach and vomiting.
In people who have a condition called chronic pancreatitis, the pancreas becomes inflamed and doesn't work like it should anymore, even after treatment. This can lead to serious—even life-threatening—problems without specialized care.
If you are diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis you must stop drinking alcohol completely. Completely stopping drinking alcohol will prevent further alcohol-related damage to your pancreas. If you carry on drinking, you are likely to experience very severe pain as well as further damage to your pancreas.
Imaging Scans
X-ray images are often the first step in diagnosing chronic pancreatitis. Your doctor can examine the images for signs of disease on the pancreas. Ultrasound uses sound wave technology to create images. This is helpful in detecting changes to the pancreatic ducts or the presence of calcium deposits.
Pancreas Blood Test. Your healthcare provider may order a pancreas blood test if you have symptoms of pancreatitis or another pancreatic disorder. This blood test can determine if you have elevated levels of the digestive enzymes amylase and lipase in your bloodstream.
Tests and procedures used to diagnose pancreatitis include: Blood tests to look for elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes, along with white blood cells, kidney function and liver enzymes. Abdominal ultrasound to look for gallstones and pancreas inflammation.
Worry is the emotion of the spleen/stomach/pancreas network, organs associated with the earth element. Too much pensiveness, worrying and insecurity can weaken our ability to digest – simply knot the energy. When we are worried to a state of anxiety, we find it hard to digest and accept a situation or life event.
Putting too much stress on your pancreas—by too much eating, drinking, or smoking—can cause serious health issues. The pancreas lies behind your stomach. It's surrounded by the intestines, liver, and gallbladder.
Pancreatitis has two stages — acute and chronic. Chronic pancreatitis is a more persistent condition. Most cases of acute pancreatitis are mild and involve a short hospital stay for the pancreas to recover. Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly after the pancreas is damaged.
The most common causes of acute pancreatitis include gallstones, alcohol use, and hypertriglyceridemia.
Chronic pancreatitis, once established, does not go away. There are no medications to make the pancreas normal again.
Early symptoms of chronic pancreatitis are similar to acute pancreatitis. Symptoms are occasional and include: Pain in the upper belly that spreads into the back. Pain in the belly that gets worse when you eat or drink alcohol.
Inflammation changes the pancreas' ability to function normally. People with chronic pancreatitis require ongoing medical care to minimize their symptoms, slow the damage to the pancreas, and address any complications that arise. In most cases, treatment controls but does not cure the underlying problem.