Pancreatitis

Signs and symptoms of chronic pancreatitis may include:

• Irregular stools that can worsen with the consumption of foods and drinks
• Significant weight loss
• Vomiting

Acute pancreatitis is most often characterized by a sudden, severe pain in the abdomen. The pain may last hours or days, radiating to the back, with associated nausea and vomiting.

Symptoms of severe pancreatitis are ongoing in nature and may include any of the following:

• Dehydration
• Fever
• Low blood pressure
• Nausea
• Swollen, tender abdomen
• Vomiting

Call your doctor at the Underwood Center immediately if you experience any symptoms of severe pancreatitis.

Common causes for both acute and chronic pancreatitis may include:

• Certain medications – antibiotics, immune suppression medicine, diuretics and more
• Gallstones
• Heavy alcohol use
• High triglyceride levels – more than 500 mg/dL
• Infection

Your doctor may conduct any of the following procedures to diagnose pancreatitis:

• Endoscopic ultrasound – passes a thin, lighted tube with an ultrasound probe through the mouth and into the stomach and small intestine to create a visual image of the pancreas
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – produces 3D images of the pancreas
• Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) – uses a magnetic field and radio waves to evaluate the pancreas

If your doctor diagnoses you with pancreatitis, a pain management specialist at the Underwood Center will develop a treatment plan that includes dietary and general lifestyle recommendations. Your doctor may also prescribe additional treatments, such as:

• Endoscopic stent placement – small tube widens a blocked or narrow pancreatic duct
• Nonoperative medical care – nonsurgical methods to reduce inflammation and manage pain
• Pancreatic surgery