Chronic Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is a condition when the pancreas becomes inflamed, and the condition hardly improves.
Pancreatitis is considered acute when it appears suddenly but lasts for a precise period of time. When it becomes recurring and lasts longer, it is called chronic pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis may damage your digestive system in the following ways:
- It can do permanent damage to the pancreas.
- The cyst may develop in the pancreas.
- Damage to the pancreas may disrupt the system of sugar regulation in the body.
Treatment
Symptoms
Chronic pancreatitis shows symptoms such as:
- Abdominal pain in the upper abdomen
- Backache
- Jaundice
- Foul smelling frothy stools
Causes
Although chronic pancreatitis is caused due to several reasons, 70% of cases are due to alcohol consumption. Some of the other known causes are:
- Alcohol
- Tobacoo chewing
- Smoking
- Cystic fibrosis
- Genetic factors
- Hereditary
Diagnosis
Apart from having blood tests, stool tests, and kidney function tests ( to gauge the overall performance of other organs), the doctor shall recommend some imaging tests, including:
- Ultrasound
- MRI
- CT- Scans
Treatment
The treatment for managing chronic pancreatitis mostly focuses on reducing pain and improving digestion. With intensive care, the patients are able to manage the symptoms pretty well. Some of the possible treatment are classified as:
Medications:
- Pain Medications
- Digestive enzymes
- Intravenous Fluids
- Insulin to treat diabetes
Endoscopy
This is a complementary method that doctors perform along with medications or even surgery. It aims at removing the stone
Surgery
Though surgery is not necessary in all cases, doctors still advise it if pain aggravates to a great extent or it does not respond to medications. Minimally invasive surgeries might be required to remove blockages, unblock pancreatic ducts or drain cysts.
At Deccan Clinic, our gastrointestinal surgeon in Pune offers personalized treatment to manage chronic pancreatitis.
