Digestive health centre

What is pancreatitis?

The pancreas is a leaf-shaped gland located behind the stomach and next to the duodenum (the first section of the small intestine). The pancreas has two primary functions:

1. Secreting powerful digestive enzymes into the small intestine to aid the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins and fat.
2. Releasing the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. These hormones are involved in blood glucose metabolism, regulating how the body stores and uses food for energy.

Pancreatitis is a disease in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. Pancreatic damage occurs when the digestive enzymes are activated before they are secreted into the duodenum and begin attacking the pancreas.

There are two forms of pancreatitis: 

• Acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation that occurs over a short period of time. In the majority of cases, acute pancreatitis is due to gallstones or heavy alcohol use. Other causes include certain medications, infections, trauma, metabolic disorders and surgery. In about 10% to 15% of people with acute pancreatitis, the cause is unknown.

The severity of acute pancreatitis may range from mild abdominal discomfort to a severe, life-threatening illness. However, the majority of people with acute pancreatitis (more than 80%) recover completely after receiving the appropriate treatment.

In very severe cases, acute pancreatitis can result in bleeding into the gland, serious tissue damage, infection, and cyst formation. Severe pancreatitis can also cause damage if enzymes and toxins are released into the bloodstream, which can harm other vital organs such as the heart, lungs and kidneys.

• Chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis occurs most often after repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis and is the result of ongoing inflammation of the pancreas. In more than 70% of the cases, chronic pancreatitis is caused by prolonged alcohol use. Other, less common causes include metabolic disorders. Very rarely, patients have chronic pancreatitis that tends to run in families (hereditary pancreatitis).

Damage to the pancreas from excessive alcohol use may not produce symptoms for many years, but then the person may suddenly develop severe pancreatitis symptoms. These include severe pain and loss of pancreatic function, resulting in digestion and blood sugar abnormalities.

What are the symptoms of pancreatitis?

Symptoms of acute pancreatitis

• Upper abdominal pain that radiates (travels) to the back. Patients may describe this as a 'boring sensation' that can be aggravated by eating, especially when foods are high in fat.
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Raised temperature
• Increased heart rate
• Jaundice

Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis

The symptoms of chronic pancreatitis are similar to those of acute pancreatitis. Patients frequently experience constant pain in the upper abdomen that radiates to the back. In some patients, the pain may be disabling. Other symptoms may include weight loss caused by poor absorption (malabsorption) of food. Malabsorption occurs because the pancreatic gland is not secreting enough enzymes to break down the food normally. Also, diabetes may develop if the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas are damaged.