Pancreatitis
Frequently Asked Questions
None Available At This Time
Description
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach. Normally, enzymes released by the pancreas become active when they reach the small intestine, but when the pancreas is inflamed, the enzymes inside the pancreas attack and damage the tissues that produce them.
Pancreatitis is serious and can lead to complications.
Acute pancreatitis usually requires hospitalization, and will resolve in a few days with treatment. Patients will be advised not to smoke, drink alcohol, or eat fatty foods. Sometimes more tests are needed to determine the cause of pancreatitis.
If narrowing of the pancreatic or bile ducts is suspected, a specialized technique called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is used to view and inspect the pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts.
(Image used by permission of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health.)
Sources of Additional Information
- The American College of Gastroenterology
- Pancreatitis
- (An overview of pancreatitis, its symptoms, and treatment.)
- American Gastroenterological Association
- Understanding Pancreatitis
- (An overview of pancreatitis, its symptoms, treatment, and prevention.)
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
- Pancreatitis
- (An overview of pancreatitis.)
Free Pamphlet From NDDIC: Pancreatitis
