Pancreatic Conditions and Treatments

Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas. This inflammation can last a short time or it can linger, causing serious problems – including death. Symptoms include:

• Mild to severe abdominal pain that may feel worse after eating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Respiratory failure
• Rapid heart rate
• Fever
• Swelling in the belly/abdomen
• Lowered blood pressure
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

This condition is most commonly caused by alcohol abuse or gallstones.  Other causes include:

• High levels of triglycerides (fat particles) in the blood
• Excessive calcium levels in the blood
• Infections, including mumps, hepatitis or salmonella
• Tumors
• Cigarette smoking
• Genetic defects
• Trauma to the pancreas
• Medication side effects

Acute pancreatitis is diagnosed through a comprehensive medical exam, blood tests, X-rays, ultrasound and imaging scans that offer a detailed look inside your body.

Treatment varies widely, based on the underlying cause of the pancreatitis. Your team will work with you to develop a treatment plan that’s best for you. Options included endoscopic procedures, fluid replenishment, nutritional support and pain management.

Complications of acute pancreatitis

Often, acute pancreatitis will get better on its own over time. And many people recover without any lingering problems. In a small number of cases, there is fluid buildup around the pancreas that requires drainage.

More significant problems may occur if the condition is left untreated for too long. These include: 

• Bleeding
• Dehydration
• Leakage from the pancreatic duct
• Damage to your pancreas
• Necrotizing pancreatitis
• Heart, lung or kidney failure
• Death

Chronic pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that comes and goes over a lengthy period of time. This can cause scarring and permanent damage that degrades the ability of your pancreas to function normally. In severe cases, your pancreas may stop making insulin and enzymes. Symptoms include:

• Severe abdominal pain, possibly spreading to the back or chest
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid heartbeat
• Fever
• Swelling in the upper belly/abdomen
• Low blood pressure
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Diarrhea

Chronic pancreatitis is most often caused by alcohol abuse or gallstones, which block the pancreatic duct so the enzymes cannot leave the pancreas. Other causes include:

• Smoking
• High triglycerides or excessive calcium levels in the blood
• Infections such as mumps, hepatitis or salmonella
• Injury or surgery on the abdomen
• Tumors
• Genetic defects
• Trauma to the pancreas
• Repeat attacks of acute pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is diagnosed through a comprehensive medical exam, blood tests, X-rays, ultrasound and imaging scans that offer a detailed look inside your body.

The condition often requires ongoing medical care to manage symptoms and maintain a good quality of life. Treatments include pain management, antioxidant therapies, lifestyle modification and surgery.

Complications of chronic pancreatitis

Over time, chronic pancreatitis can cause long-term problems, often related to the inability of the pancreas to produce insulin and digestive enzymes. These problems include:

• Constant abdominal pain, which can be severe
• Inability to digest food properly
• Malnutrition
• Unwanted weight loss
• Diabetes
• Leakage from the pancreatic duct
• Thinning and weakened bones that may fracture easily
• Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cysts are small sacs of fluid that form in the pancreas. Most are benign and cause no symptoms. But some can turn cancerous and should be monitored by your doctor. Symptoms include:

• Persistent abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• A mass in the upper abdomen that can be felt
• Fever (if the cyst becomes infected)

The cause of these cysts is not known, though researchers believe they may be related to pancreatitis. They may also be related to some rare illnesses. Some may represent either a benign tumor or in some cases can progress to a cancer depending on the type.

Treatment of cysts often involves watching and monitoring. Monitoring may involve X-rays or an endoscopic ultrasound study. If the cyst is causing bothersome symptoms, it may be drained or removed through surgery.

Autoimmune pancreatitis is a chronic inflammation thought to be caused by the body’s immune system attacking the pancreas. Unlike most forms of pancreatitis, it can be difficult to diagnose as it often does not cause any symptoms. At times, symptoms are similar to those of pancreatic cancer. Those include:

• Dark urine
• Pale stool
• Pain in your upper abdomen
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weakness or extreme tiredness
• Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Lost appetite or feeling full
• Unexpected weight loss

Since the condition can mimic the signs of pancreatic cancer, accurate diagnosis is critical for deciding a course of treatment. Diagnostic options include blood tests, imaging (including MRIs, CT scans and ultrasound), endoscopic biopsy and steroid trials.

In some instances, autoimmune pancreatitis will go away on its own. But most people will need treatment. Your doctor will likely suggest steroids (along with other medications) to reduce inflammation and calm your overactive immune system. Your doctor may also suggest draining your biliary ducts (with a stent) before starting medication.

Pancreatitis is sometimes caused by genetic mutations passed down in families from one generation to the next. These genetic mutations can increase your risk for pancreatitis and, in some instances, pancreatic cancer. These risks can be made worse by smoking, drinking alcohol and overeating.

Pancreatitis also can be related to other diseases. For example, it is a rare complication of cystic fibrosis. The disease causes thick fluid to build up in the pancreatic ducts, making it more difficult for digestive enzymes to reach the small intestines.

Symptoms are generally like other forms of pancreatitis. They include:

• Severe abdominal pain, possibly spreading to the back or chest
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid heartbeat
• Fever
• Swelling in the upper belly/abdomen
• Low blood pressure
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

These forms of pancreatitis are diagnosed with the same methods used to identify other forms of the disorder. These include blood tests, X-rays, ultrasound and imaging scans.

Unfortunately, there is no treatment for hereditary pancreatitis. Instead, our team will work with you to manage symptoms and help you achieve the best quality of life possible. Options include:

• Pancreatic enzyme supplements to help you digest food
• Insulin to treat diabetes
• Medication for pain control
• Diet changes to help control pain (including small meals throughout the day)
• Avoiding smoke (including second-hand) and alcohol

Unfortunately, there are times when the cause of pancreatitis is never found. This is called idiopathic pancreatitis. In some cases, this may be related to some underlying genetic disorder.

Symptoms and treatment options are like other forms of pancreatitis. Our team of specialists will work with you to develop a treatment plan to manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.