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A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Atlanta (GA): A.D.A.M.; 2011.

A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia.

Pancreatitis

Last reviewed: January 20, 2010.

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach. It releases the hormones insulin and glucagon, as well as digestive enzymes that help you digest and absorb food.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

For more information, see the specific type of pancreatitis:

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

Signs and tests

Tests that may be performed include:

See the specific types of pancreatitis for more information.

Treatment

See the specific types of pancreatitis.

Expectations (prognosis)

See the specific types of pancreatitis.

Complications

See the specific types of pancreatitis.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have persistent abdominal pain or jaundice, with or without other symptoms.

Prevention

See the specific types of pancreatitis.

References

  1. Banks PA, Freeman ML; Practice Parameters Committee of the American College of Gastroenterology. Practice guidelines in acute pancreatitis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2006;101:2379-2400. [PubMed: 17032204]
  2. Frossard JL, Steer ML, Pastor CM. Acute pancreatitis. Lancet. 2008;371:143-152. [PubMed: 18191686]
  3. Owyang C. Pancreatitis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 147.

Review Date: 1/20/2010.

Reviewed by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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What works?

  • Use of antibiotics to prevent infection of dead pancreatic tissue in acute pancreatitis Use of antibiotics to prevent infection of dead pancreatic tissue in acute pancreatitis
    Acute pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, a serious emergency with no specific treatment. The pancreas, a digestive gland, can become inflamed for many reasons, but mainly as a complication from gallstones or excess alcohol intake. If severe, the pancreas may lose its blood supply, a complication called pancreatic necrosis that can be detected by computed tomography (CT) scanning.  Death can occur either early in the disease process in association with uncontrolled inflammatory responses, causing multiple organ‐system failure (MOSF), or late when the necrotic tissue becomes infected, which might necessitate major surgery to remove the infection, with the risk of death rising from 10% to over 40%. Antibiotics may prevent later infection and reduce the risk of death, but could also encourage bacterial antibiotic resistance and fungal infections. Controlled trials looking at the value of using prophylactic antibiotics have produced conflicting results.
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Figures

  • Digestive system.
    Endocrine glands.
    Pancreatitis, acute - CT scan.
    Pancreatitis, chronic - CT scan.
    Pancreas.

In the news

  • Image for UK NHS headline Spoon-feeding compared with 'baby-led' weaning
    8 February 2012
    “Spoon feeding makes babies fatter,” the BBC reported today. According to the broadcaster, babies weaned on pureed food tend to end up fatter than infants whose first tastes are finger foods. This hi...
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Drugs of interest

  • Pancrelipase
    Pancrelipase is used to improve digestion of foods and prevent frequent, fatty, foul-smelling bowel movements in people who have a condition that affects the pancreas (a gland that produces several substances that the body needs to function normally) such as cystic fibrosis (an inborn disease that causes problems with breathing, digestion, and reproduction), chronic pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas that does not go away), or a blockage in the passages between the pancreas and the intestine, or who have had surgery to remove all or part of the pancreas or stomach. Pancrelipase is also sometimes used to test how well the pancreas is working. Pancrelipase is in a class of medications called enzymes. Pancrelipase acts in place of the natural substances normally made by the pancreas. It works by breaking down fats, proteins, and starches from food into smaller substances that can be absorbed from the intestine. This allows the body to use these substances for energy and prevents them from being passed as frequent, fatty bowel movements.
  • Hyoscyamine
    Hyoscyamine is used to control symptoms associated with disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It works by decreasing the motion of the stomach and intestines and the secretion of stomach fluids, including acid. Hyoscyamine is also used in the treatment of bladder spasms, peptic ulcer disease, diverticulitis, colic, irritable bowel syndrome, cystitis, and pancreatitis. Hyoscyamine may also be used to treat certain heart conditions, to control the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and rhinitis (runny nose), and to reduce excess saliva production.
  • Insulin Injection
    Insulin injection is used to control blood sugar in people who have type 1 diabetes (condition in which the body does not make insulin and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood) or in people who have type 2 diabetes (condition in which the blood sugar is too high because the body does not produce or use insulin normally) that cannot be controlled with oral medications alone. Insulin injection is in a class of medications called hormones. Insulin injection is used to take the place of insulin that is normally produced by the body. It works by helping move sugar from the blood into other body tissues where it is used for energy. It also stops the liver from producing more sugar. All of the types of insulin that are available work in this way. The types of insulin differ only in how quickly they begin to work and how long they continue to control blood sugar.
  • Octreotide Injection
    Octreotide immediate-release injection is used to decrease the amount of growth hormone (a natural substance) produced by people with acromegaly (condition in which the body produces too much growth hormone, causing enlargement of the hands, feet, and facial features; joint pain; and other symptoms) who cannot be treated with surgery, radiation, or another medication. Octreotide immediate-release injection is also used to control diarrhea and flushing caused by carcinoid tumors (slow-growing tumors that release natural substances that can cause symptoms) and vasoactive intestinal peptide secreting adenomas (VIP-omas; tumors that form in the pancreas and release natural substances that can cause symptoms). Octreotide long-acting injection is used to control acromegaly, carcinoid tumors, and VIP-omas in people who have been successfully treated with otreotide injection but prefer to receive injections less often. Octreotide injection is in a class of medications called octapeptides. It works by decreasing the amounts of certain natural substances produced by the body.
  • Azathioprine
    Azathioprine is used with other medications to prevent transplant rejection (attack of the transplanted organ by the immune system) in people who received kidney transplants. It is also used to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis (a condition in which the body attacks its own joints, causing pain, swelling, and loss of function) when other medications and treatments have not helped. Azathioprine is in a class of medications called immunosuppressants. It works by decreasing the activity of the body's immune system so it will not attack the transplanted organ or the joints.
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