What causes chronic pancreatitis?

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

Most cases of chronic pancreatitis have no known cause. However, alcoholism, hyperparathyroidism, cancer, gallstones, heredity, or acute pancreatitis may all cause the condition. In tropical countries, children and young adults get chronic pancreatitis with no known cause. The condition causes irreversible damage to the pancreas.

Continue Learning about Pancreatitis

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

Both acute and chronic pancreatitis has been shown to affect men more often than women. The most com...

Sigma Nursing

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

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

A mild case of acute pancreatitis has a death rate of less than five percent, but in a serious case,...

Dr. Jeanne Morrison, PhD

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

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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