On this page

Basics

• Summary
• Start Here
• Diagnosis and Tests

Learn More

• Living With
• Related Issues
• Genetics

See, Play and Learn

• Images

Research

• Clinical Trials
• Journal Articles

Resources

• Reference Desk
• Find an Expert

For You

• Children
• Patient Handouts

Summary

The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach and close to the first part of the small intestine. It secretes digestive juices into the small intestine through a tube called the pancreatic duct. The pancreas also releases the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream.

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. It happens when digestive enzymes start digesting the pancreas itself. Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic. Either form is serious and can lead to complications.

Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly and usually goes away in a few days with treatment. It is often caused by gallstones. Common symptoms are severe pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, and vomiting. Treatment is usually a few days in the hospital for intravenous (IV) fluids, antibiotics, and medicines to relieve pain.

Chronic pancreatitis does not heal or improve. It gets worse over time and leads to permanent damage. The most common cause is heavy alcohol use. Other causes include cystic fibrosis and other inherited disorders, high levels of calcium or fats in the blood, some medicines, and autoimmune conditions. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and oily stools. Treatment may also be a few days in the hospital for intravenous (IV) fluids, medicines to relieve pain, and nutritional support. After that, you may need to start taking enzymes and eat a special diet. It is also important to not smoke or drink alcohol.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Start Here

• Pancreatitis (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
• Pancreatitis - What Causes Pancreatitis? (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish

Diagnosis and Tests

• Amylase Test (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
• Glucagon Blood Test (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
• Lipase Test (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
• Stool Elastase (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish

Living With

• Nutrition & Cookbook (National Pancreas Foundation)

Related Issues

• Biliary Tract Disorders, Gallbladder Disorders, and Gallstone Pancreatitis (American College of Gastroenterology) Also in Spanish
• Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish

Genetics

• Familial and Hereditary Pancreatitis (National Pancreas Foundation) - PDF
• Hereditary pancreatitis: MedlinePlus Genetics (National Library of Medicine)

Images

• Pancreatitis - series (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Pancreatitis (National Institutes of Health)
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing (National Institutes of Health)
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Pancreatitis, Chronic (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: The mechanism of transcutaneous gastric pacing treatment on gastrointestinal motility recovery...
• Article: Early selective enteral feeding in combination with active decompression of duodenum...
• Article: What fluids should I order for my patient with acute pancreatitis?
• Pancreatitis -- see more articles

Reference Desk

• Power of Your Pancreas: Keep Your Digestive Juices Flowing (National Institutes of Health)

Find an Expert

• ASGE: Find a Doctor (American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy)
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Children

• Pancreatitis (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
• Pediatric Pancreatitis (National Pancreas Foundation)

Patient Handouts

• Acute pancreatitis (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Amylase - blood (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Chronic pancreatitis (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• ERCP (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Lipase test (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Pancreatitis - children (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Pancreatitis - discharge (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish