Contents
Is Chronic Pancreatitis Affecting Your Daily Life?
Published: Sep 03, 2023
Chronic pancreatitis is a long-lasting inflammation of the pancreas that can cause major digestive issues. This article explains its symptoms and how it can be diagnosed.
Understanding the Pain
The most common symptom of chronic pancreatitis is abdominal pain, which often strikes in the upper abdomen and can radiate to the back. This pain can be persistent or come and go, and it may worsen after eating. Sometimes, the pain lessens over time, but sudden changes in pain may indicate complications such as pseudocysts or pancreatic cancer.
Digestive System Woes
Chronic pancreatitis impacts digestion, leading to steatorrhea—oily, floating stools due to the inability to digest fats properly. This usually occurs after significant pancreatic damage, often years after the condition begins. Weight loss is common, especially when pain limits food intake.
Silent Yet Serious
Not all patients with chronic pancreatitis experience symptoms. In some cases, the condition is discovered incidentally during imaging tests for other issues. Even without symptoms, the pancreas may still be severely affected, posing risks for future health problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Abdominal pain is the most common symptom.
Yes, some people have no symptoms but still have pancreas damage.
It causes fat maldigestion leading to oily stools.
No, pain does not always correlate with damage severity.
The Bottom Line
Chronic pancreatitis can silently damage your pancreas, so early diagnosis is crucial.
References
- Majumder S, Chari ST. Chronic pancreatitis. Lancet 2016; 387:1957.
- Gardner TB, Adler DG, Forsmark CE, et al. ACG Clinical Guideline: Chronic Pancreatitis. Am J Gastroenterol 2020; 115:322.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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