Chronic pancreatitus describes the inflammation of the pancreas that cannot be healed. Unfortunately this type of pancreatitus gets worse in time and does permanent damage to the body. The pancreas is located in the human body just behind the stomach. It produces enzymes that digest food. The pancreas also produces two hormones – insulin and glucagon. When a patient suffers from chronic pancreatitus, his organ cannot produce the enzymes resulting in the incapacity of digesting food. Generally, chronic pancreatitus is caused by the abuse of alcohol on the long term. Pancreatitus, the first stage of the disease can lead in time to chronic pancreatitus. The illness may even lead to diabetes if the portions of the organ producing insulin are affected. Of course, chronic pancreatitus is not caused only by alcohol abuse, but also by autoimmune problems, complication of cystic fibrosis or the use of madication like corticosteroids, diuretics and others.

Chronic pancreatitus appears most often in men between 30 and 40. The symptoms of the disease include strong abdominal pain, that may last for hours and might worsen if eating or drinking, and digestive problems that include wight loss, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. The symptoms of the illness can worsen once with the development of the pancreatitus. This problem might even lead to pancreatic cancer. To check if the patient has chronic pancreatitus, there are several tests like the fecal fat tests, the serum lipase, the serum amylase, the CT scan, the ultrasound and the endoscopic ultrasound.

The treatment for chronic pancreatitus includes medication and a severe diet. The patient can receive pain relievers, insulin and can be intubated. If the status of the patient worsens, he might be stopped from eating to limit the activity of the pancreas. He may begin an oral diet slowly, step by step. The diet for pancreatitus includes low fat dishes, small meals, plenty or liquids and no caffeine. If a blockage happens on the patient suffering from pancreatitus, surgery may be needed. In some cases the pancreas is totally removed. The chronic pancreatitus is a very serious disease that may lead to death if not treated correctly.