Chronic pancreatitis is a medical term used to describe inflammation of the pancreas that becomes progressively worse over time. This condition develops when the naturally occurring enzymes within the digestive tract abnormally attack the pancreas and surrounding tissues. Symptoms of pancreatitis include severe upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatty stool production and unexplained weight loss. If you are diagnosed with this condition, speak with your doctor for further information regarding what treatments are available for chronic pancreatitis.
Surgery
If you experience significant abdominal pain due to chronic pancreatitis, your doctor may recommend surgery to help alleviate these symptoms, explain health professionals at the University of Southern California Center for Pancreatic and Biliary Diseases in Los Angeles. Surgical procedures used to treat chronic pancreatitis may involve removing a portion of the pancreas or clearing a blockage in the pancreatic duct. Your surgeon may also widen the pancreatic ducts by using a stent--a tiny plastic tube inserted into the duct to keep it open--which can alleviate pain and inflammation within the pancreas. Surgery for chronic pancreatitis can cause additional side effects or complications to occur in some patients.
Medication
Your doctor may recommend a number of different medications to help treat painful symptoms associated with chronic pancreatitis. Over-the-counter and prescription analgesic medications can help reduce inflammation within the pancreas, decreasing sensations of pain or discomfort. Pancreatic enzyme supplements can help treat chronic pancreatitis by replacing the naturally occurring pancreatic enzymes. While taking these supplements, the body does not need to generate its own pancreatic enzymes, which allows the pancreas to rest and recover, explains Up To Date for Patients, a peer-reviewed health information website.
Diet Alterations
Changing your diet can help treat digestive symptoms associated with chronic pancreatitis. The most common cause of this condition is excessive alcohol consumption. Thus, abstaining from alcohol can help alleviate chronic pancreatitis symptoms. Decreasing the amount of fat in your daily diet can help ease digestion and decrease fat levels within your stools. Eating several small meals throughout the day, rather than one or two large meals, can help prevent pancreatic irritation and can limit the occurrence of painful chronic pancreatitis symptoms. Your doctor may also recommend that you fast (not eat) for a few days while being monitored in a hospital, as this can help treat painful symptoms associated with this condition. If you use this form of treatment, you will be administered intravenous (IV) fluids to ensure that you body receives an adequate level of nutrients.
