Analgesics are pain reducers. We will individualize your dose, starting you on the lowest effective dose. We will monitor you closely, increasing and decreasing your dosage as necessary. Show
Enzyme TherapyWe may recommend enzyme therapy to control diarrhea, reduce pain and help you gain weight. Enzyme therapy helps your body absorb nutrients. High-protein, High-calorie DietsSome patients develop protein energy malnutrition. Therapy for protein energy malnutrition requires correction of malabsorption and administration of high-protein, high-calorie diets. In severely malnourished chronic pancreatitis patients, total parenteral nutrition may be the preferred treatment. Chronic Pancreatitis Treatment: SurgeryWhen medical and endoscopic therapies have failed, we may recommend surgery. There are many surgical options. Different procedures work better for different patients. We will work closely with you to find the surgical approach that offers you the best outcome. The type of surgery depends on the severity of your pain, the extent of the disease and your overall health. Surgical procedures include: Puestow Procedure (Longitudinal Pancreaticojejunostomy)The goal of this procedure is to clear the blocked pancreatic duct. It is successful in relieving pain in many patients. Whipple Procedure (Pancreaticoduodenectomy)During this surgery, your surgeon removes part of the pancreas, the duodenum (first part of the small intestine), part of the common bile duct, the gallbladder and possibly part of the stomach. Your surgeon then connects the remaining intestines. This is a complex procedure; only surgeons with extensive experience and training should perform the Whipple procedure. Total Pancreatectomy and Auto Islet TransplantationA total pancreatectomy and auto islet transplantation may be necessary for patients with chronic severe abdominal pain who do not respond to conventional treatment. In the first part of the double procedure, the pancreas is surgically removed (called a total pancreatectomy). When the pancreas is removed, auto islets (insulin-producing cells) found in the pancreas must be transplanted to the liver in order to reduce the need for insulin, which would otherwise be necessary for people without a pancreas. Pancreatic Cancer Prevention | Lana's StoryLana Brandt had a strong family history of pancreatic cancer. After experiencing several bouts of pancreatitis, she learned that she carried a genetic mutation that increased her risk of pancreatic cancer. As a means of pancreatic cancer prevention, experts at Johns Hopkins removed her pancreas and spleen using a minimally invasive technique. They then performed an autoislet cell transplant to help her body continue to produce insulin after surgery. Distal PancreatectomyYour surgeon resects (removes) part of the pancreas. Chronic Pancreatitis Treatment: Celiac Nerve BlockIn the advanced stages of chronic pancreatitis, oral drugs may not be enough to control the pain. Your doctor may recommend a nerve block, which is an injection of an anesthetic around your nerve. The injection stops the nerves from sending pain messages. This is a successful but short-term option for pain relief. Patients often require repeat treatments. Chronic Pancreatitis Treatment: Endoscopic TherapyYour doctor may be able to treat chronic pancreatitis using endoscopic procedures. Endoscopic procedures include: Endoscopic Pancreatic SphincterotomyThis helps reduce pressure on the pancreatic ducts. It also allows your doctor to:
Stricture Treatment Treating strictures using an endoscopic approach is less invasive than a regular surgery. You may require more than one procedure to achieve or maintain a positive result. Opening the strictures will relieve pain associated with chronic pancreatitis. Stone Extraction Duct stones may obstruct the flow of pancreatic juices. Using endoscopy, your doctor can remove the stones. We may combine an endoscopic approach with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), a procedure that breaks up the stones before they are removed. Chronic Pancreatitis: Treating ComplicationsChronic pancreatitis can cause complications in other parts of the body. Part of treating the disease is to treat and manage those complications. Depending on the complication and the severity, we can treat it endoscopically, surgically or using percutaneous therapy. Pancreatitis happens when your pancreas becomes irritated and inflamed (swollen). It’s not a common condition. There are multiple causes, but the main culprits are gallstones or heavy alcohol use. The condition can flare up suddenly or be a long-lasting problem, which can lead to permanent damage.
Overview What is pancreatitis?Pancreatitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the pancreas. When the pancreas is inflamed, the powerful digestive enzymes it makes can damage its tissue. The inflamed pancreas can cause release of inflammatory cells and toxins that may harm your lungs, kidneys and heart. There are two forms of pancreatitis:
Where is the pancreas located?The pancreas is an organ in the upper abdomen (belly). It connects to the beginning of the small intestine (the duodenum). It contains the pancreatic duct (tube), which drains digestive enzymes (chemicals) into the small intestine (the duodenum). What is the function of the pancreas?Your pancreas has two primary functions. First, it makes digestive enzymes (chemicals) and releases them into the small intestine. These enzymes break down carbohydrates, proteins and fat from food. Your pancreas also produces several hormones and releases them into the blood. Amongst these hormones is insulin which regulates the amount of sugar in your blood (glucose). Insulin also helps provide energy now and stores some for later. Who gets pancreatitis?You’re more likely to develop pancreatitis if you:
Symptoms and CausesWhat causes pancreatitis?Gallstones or heavy alcohol drinking are usually the cause of pancreatitis. Rarely, you can also get pancreatitis from:
What are the symptoms of pancreatitis?Pancreatitis symptoms vary, depending on the type of condition: Acute pancreatitis symptoms If you have acute pancreatitis, you may experience:
Chronic pancreatitis symptoms Chronic pancreatitis may cause some of the same symptoms as acute pancreatitis. You may also develop:
Diagnosis and TestsHow is pancreatitis diagnosed?Your provider may suspect pancreatitis based on your symptoms or risk factors, such as heavy alcohol use or gallstone disease. To confirm diagnosis, you may go through additional tests. Diagnosing acute pancreatitis For acute pancreatitis, your provider may order a blood test that measures the levels of two digestive enzymes (amylase and lipase) produced by the pancreas. High levels of these enzymes indicate acute pancreatitis. An ultrasound or computed tomography (CT scan) provides images of your pancreas, gall bladder and bile duct that can show abnormalities. Diagnosing chronic pancreatitis Diagnosing chronic pancreatitis is more involved. You may also need:
Management and TreatmentHow is pancreatitis treated?If you have pancreatitis, your primary care provider will probably refer you to a specialist. A doctor who specializes in the digestive system (gastroenterologist) should oversee your care. Doctors use one or more of these methods to treat acute pancreatitis:
Procedures used to treat pancreatitis Most pancreatitis complications like pancreatic pseudocyst (type of inflammatory cyst) or infected pancreas tissue are managed through endoscopic procedure (inserting a tube down your throat until it reaches your small intestine, which is next to your pancreas). Gallstones and pancreas stones are removed with an endoscopic procedure. If surgery is recommended, surgeons can often perform a laparoscopic procedure. This surgical technique involves smaller cuts that take less time to heal. During laparoscopic surgery, your surgeon inserts a laparoscope (an instrument with a tiny camera and light) into keyhole-sized cuts in your abdomen. The laparoscope sends images of your organs to a monitor to help guide the surgeon during the procedure. PreventionCan pancreatitis be prevented?The best way to prevent pancreatitis is to have a healthy lifestyle. Aim to:
These healthy lifestyle choices will also help you avoid gallstones, which cause 40% of acute pancreatitis cases. Your provider may recommend removing your gallbladder if you have painful gallstones multiple times. Outlook / PrognosisHow long does pancreatitis last?Typically, acute pancreatitis lasts only a few days. But if you have a more severe case, it may take several weeks to months to recover. Chronic pancreatitis requires lifelong management. Will pancreatitis go away?With treatment, most people with acute pancreatitis completely recover. Chronic pancreatitis is a long-lasting condition. Once it’s severely damaged, your pancreas doesn’t function properly. You need ongoing support to digest food and manage blood sugar. Can pancreatitis return?With chronic pancreatitis, painful episodes can come and go or persist (last a long time). You can also have another attack of acute pancreatitis, especially if you haven’t resolved the underlying problem. For example, if you have another gallstone that blocks the opening to the pancreas, you can get acute pancreatitis again. Is pancreatitis fatal?Most people with a mild case of acute pancreatitis fully recover. However, those with severe pancreatitis are more likely to have life-threatening complications such as:
Living WithHow should I take care of myself after having pancreatitis?You can take several steps to prevent another pancreatitis attack:
What should I ask my doctor?If you have pancreatitis, you may want to ask your doctor:
A note from Cleveland Clinic Pancreatitis is painful, but in the majority, treatments coupled with lifestyle changes can help you make a full recovery and prevent further acute pancreatitis episodes. While chronic pancreatitis doesn’t go away, you can manage the symptoms and avoid complications with help from your doctor. ResourcesWhere can I find more information about pancreatitis?For more information on pancreatitis:
Share Email Print Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/04/2020. References
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What is the best treatment of pancreatitis?Treatment for Pancreatitis. a hospital stay to treat dehydration with intravenous (IV) fluids and, if you can swallow them, fluids by mouth.. pain medicine, and antibiotics by mouth or through an IV if you have an infection in your pancreas.. a low-fat diet, or nutrition by feeding tube or IV if you can't eat.. What is the most common treatment for pancreatitis?Acute Pancreatitis Treatment: Surgery
Resecting (removing) the diseased pancreatic tissue, depending on the severity of your condition. Cholecystectomy: Removing the gallbladder may be effective if you have recurrent acute pancreatitis.
What is the drug of choice for pancreatitis?Omnipen (ampicillin), Primaxin Iv (imipenem/cilastatin), and Rocephin (ceftriaxone sodium) are commonly prescribed for pancreatitis and require a prescription.
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