The pancreas is an important organ located behind your stomach. It helps digest food and control your blood sugar. Sometimes, this organ can get inflamed, and that condition is called pancreatitis.
There are two main types: acute and chronic.
Acute Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis causes sudden, severe stomach pain that might spread to your back. There may be nausea, vomiting or fever.
Common causes:
- Gallstones (stones in the gallbladder that block the pancreatic duct)
- Alcohol use
- Certain medications
- High levels of fats (triglycerides)/ calcium in the blood
Treatment:
- Hospital stay for a few days
- No food for some time to let the pancreas rest
- IV fluids and pain relief medications
- Treat the underlying cause (e.g., removing gallstones)
- 10- 20% cases may be serious and sometimes life threatening.
Most people recover completely from acute pancreatitis if treated properly.
Chronic Pancreatitis - A Long-Term Issue
Chronic pancreatitis is when the inflammation doesn’t go away or keeps coming back over time. This can cause permanent damage to the pancreas.
Symptoms:
- Repeated stomach pain going to back
- Weight loss
- Oily, smelly stools (due to poor digestion)
- Diabetes (as the pancreas stops making insulin)
Causes:
- Long-term alcohol use is the most common cause
- Genetic conditions
- Autoimmune diseases
- Sometimes, the cause is unknown
Treatment:
- Pain management
- Pancreatic enzyme tablets to help digest food
- A healthy diet (low-fat, no alcohol)
- Insulin if diabetes develops
- May need surgery sometimes
What You Can Do:
- Avoid excessive alcohol
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet
- Don’t ignore belly pain that won’t go away
- Seek medical help early
Pancreatitis can be managed well with proper care. Early treatment makes a big difference.
