How do other illnesses affect me when I have pancreatitis?

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

Pancreatitis can affect your body's predisposition to developing other illnesses. Diabetes may develop from pancreatitis because the digestive enzymes that build up in the pancreas can harm the insulin-producing cells that help your body process sugar. Pancreatitis can also increase your likelihood of developing pancreatic cancer if there is unrelieved inflammation of the tissue and cells in the pancreas.

Continue Learning about Pancreatitis

Dr. Jeanne Morrison, PhD

The rate of incidence for pancreatitis each year in the United States is over 300,000 people. Roughl...

Dr. Jeanne Morrison, PhD

Pancreatitis can be serious and often requires hospitalization, sometimes even surgery. Acute and ch...

Diana Meeks

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

American Association of Endocrine Surgeons

About 5-10% of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are glucagonomas, tumors that produce an inappropria...

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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