Information regarding the chronic pancreatitis disease
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NEWSLETTER
Chronic Pancreatitis
Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, MD on September 14, 2017 — Written by Helen Colledge, Jennifer Nelson, and Lauren Reed-Guy on July 25, 2012
Causes
Risk Factors
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
Outlook
What Is Chronic Pancreatitis?
Chronic pancreatitis is an inflammation of your pancreas that doesn’t improve over time.
The pancreas is an organ located behind your stomach. It makes enzymes, which are special proteins that help digest your food. It also makes hormones that control the level of sugar in your bloodstream.
Pancreatitis occurs when your pancreas becomes inflamed. Pancreatitis is considered acute when the inflammation comes on suddenly and only lasts for a short period of time. It’s considered chronic when it keeps coming back or when the inflammation doesn’t heal for months or years.
Chronic pancreatitis can lead to permanent scarring and damage. Calcium stones and cysts may develop in your pancreas, which can block the duct, or tube, that carries digestive enzymes and juices to your stomach. The blockage may lower the levels of pancreatic enzymes and hormones, which will make it harder for your body to digest food and regulate your blood sugar. This can cause serious health problems, including malnutrition and diabetes.
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