What do I need to know about caring for someone with chronic pancreatitis?

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

When caring for someone with chronic pancreatitis, encourage them to avoid alcohol and tobacco. Prepare more frequent, smaller, low-fat meals and plenty of water. Assist the individual with relaxation therapy, yoga, and meditation to help manage their pain. Be alert for increased symptoms or signs of infection.

Continue Learning about Pancreatitis

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

Chronic pancreatitis occurs between 1.6 and 23 cases per 100,000 individuals throughout the world. I...

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

Other conditions raise an individual's risk of having acute pancreatitis. These includehigh blood le...

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

The most common diseases that can cause chronic pancreatitis are alcoholism and gallbladder disease....

Diana Meeks

Pancreatitis may be cured if it is acute. With acute pancreatitis, your pancreas may suffer minor ti...

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Pancreatitis

A disease of the endocrine system, pancreatitis can cause severe abdominal pain, fever and nausea and vomiting. Pancreatitis develops when the digestive juices that your pancreas makes actually begins to break down the organ itself. This disease, which can either be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term), can cause internal bleeding, infection, tissue scarring and organ failure. Chronic pancreatitis actually causes the pancreas to slowly destroy itself. Gallstones that block the pancreatic duct, a tube that connects the pancreas to part of the small intestine, can cause acute pancreatitis. However, heavy alcohol use is a primary cause of both acute and chronic pancreatitis. Several days in the hospital can help resolve acute pancreatitis, but chronic pancreatitis can be much more difficult to treat, especially if the patient is an alcoholic. The surgical removal of certain nerves may be needed to relieve the severe abdominal pain associated with chronic pancreatitis.

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