How successful is treatment for pancreatitis?

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

Treatment of the cause of pancreatitis can be successful when combined with daily management. Brief hospitalization and rest may successfully treat acute pancreatitis. In some cases surgery may be necessary to remove gallstones or other underlying causes.

With chronic pancreatitis, there is no simple cure. Daily management requires changing to a low-fat diet and abstaining from alcohol and cigarettes. Surgery is often necessary to remove damaged tissue and treat other side effects of pancreatitis.

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...

American Association of Endocrine Surgeons

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

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

Acute pancreatitis rarely affects children. Usually, the cause of this condition in children is unid...

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. It may be caused by a number of factors, including ...

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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