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How Do I Know If I Have It?

Your doctor will probably press on your abdominal area to see if it is tender and check you for low blood pressure, low-grade fever, and rapid pulse. Your blood will be tested for abnormal levels of pancreatic enzymes, white blood cells, blood sugar, calcium, and liver function. Abdominal X-rays may show if your pancreas is calcified. Ultrasound tests or CT scans may show bile duct problems, stones, cysts, and extent of inflammation.

To diagnose chronic pancreatitis, your doctor will take blood samples and check your stool for excess fat, a sign that the pancreas is no longer producing enough enzymes to process fat. You may be given a stimulation test called a pancreatic function test to see how well your pancreas releases its digestive enzymes into the duodenum. You may also be screened for diabetes mellitus .

What Are the Treatments?

Conventional medicine treats pancreatitis with drugs, diet, and surgery. If you have an attack of acute pancreatitis, your doctor will try to stem the flow of pancreatic enzymes by feeding you intravenously and by preventing dehydration. You may receive strong medicines for pain. You may have to have your stomach drained with a tube placed through your nose.

If your pancreatitis is caused by gallstones or an obstructed pancreatic duct, you may need surgery or have an ERCP once your symptoms have subsided. An ERCP is a procedure that involves the insertion of a tube down your throat into the intestines to the place where the bile duct and pancreatic duct drain. A smaller tube is inserted into the ducts to relieve the obstruction.

If you have chronic pancreatitis, your doctor will focus on treating you for pain — guarding against possible addiction to prescription analgesics — and for complications that affect your digestive abilities. You may be placed on an enzyme replacement therapy to restore your digestive tract's ability to digest nutrients; this will also likely reduce the frequency of new attacks.

You may have to avoid fatty foods and will have to abstain from drinking alcohol. If your pain does not respond to medication, the damaged pancreatic tissue may be surgically removed, but only as a last resort.