Pancreatitis

Managing Your Symptoms

There are two forms of pancreatitis. The acute form occurs suddenly and can be very severe and lead to death. After successful treatment of acute pancreatitis, the gland usually recovers completely.

Chronic (long term) pancreatitis occurs when there is continuous damage to the pancreas that can lead to ongoing pain and a permanent decrease in its function. Those suffering from chronic pancreatitis may need pain management, IV hydration, and nutritional support. Synthetic pancreatic enzymes that may need to be taken with every meal to help the person digest food and regain some weight may be part of the ongoing treatment. People with chronic pancreatitis are strongly advised not to smoke or consume alcoholic beverages, even if the pancreatitis is mild or in the early stages.