What Is Chronic Pancreatitis?

The two most common symptoms of chronic pancreatitis are pain in the upper abdomen that may spread to the back and diarrhea. As the disorder progresses, patients may experience nausea, vomiting and weight loss, which can lead to malnutrition. In later stages of disease, patients may develop diabetes mellitus.

Because routine blood tests often return normal results, imaging tests — such as CT (computed tomography) scan and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) — are most commonly used to diagnose chronic pancreatitis. The Bayfront Health Digestive Health Institute also offers endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), a procedure in which a thin, flexible tube (endoscope) is inserted through the throat and down into the small intestine. A special ultrasound attachment creates pictures to evaluate the pancreas. Studies show that EUS can consistently diagnose chronic pancreatitis that other tests may miss.

Lifestyle modifications

Avoid consuming alcohol, and if you smoke, quit. Alcohol use and smoking damage the pancreas, and continuing either will only accelerate disease progression.

Diet

Eating a low-fat diet and avoiding fried or greasy foods can be helpful, especially if you experience abdominal pain when you eat or have diarrhea. We recommend a high-protein, nutrient-dense diet plan that incorporates fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean protein to help prevent pain and malnutrition.

Vitamins

Getting a good mix of antioxidants that contain vitamins C and E, selenium and methionine can help to lessen symptoms of chronic pancreatitis.

Pain management

Your gastroenterologist will usually develop a pain management plan for you. Non-opioid, over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can help to alleviate mild to moderate pain. For more severe pain, your doctor may prescribe codeine. If pain is unrelenting, a procedure called a celiac plexus block can provide relief. Using EUS guidance, your doctor will inject bupivacaine and steroids to block nerve fibers that transmit pain.

EUS-guided celiac plexus block – Bupivacaine and steroids are injected near the pancreas to block the nerves that transmit pain sensation.

Diarrhea treatment

Diarrhea is caused by the loss of digestive enzymes that results from progressive damage to the pancreas. In addition to recommending a low-fat diet to help control diarrhea, your doctor also may prescribe pancreatic enzyme pills. It is important that they be taken with meals and at the correct dosage to be effective.

Diabetes treatment

If you develop diabetes from chronic pancreatitis, you may need insulin to control your blood sugar. Your primary care physician or an endocrinologist can develop and manage a treatment plan for you.

Surgery

Based on the severity of disease and its location in the pancreas, your doctor may recommend surgery as the most beneficial treatment for you. Various surgical options are available, usually performed by a pancreatic surgeon.