Chronic pancreatitis
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Chronic pancreatitis is a long-standing inflammation of the pancreas that alters the organ's normal structure and functions.[1] It can present as episodes of acute inflammation in a previously injured pancreas, or as chronic damage with persistent pain or malabsorption. It is a disease process characterized by irreversible damage to the pancreas as distinct from reversible changes in acute pancreatitis.[6][7] Tobacco smoke and alcohol misuse are two of the most frequently implicated causes, and the two risk factors are thought to have a synergistic effect with regards to the development of chronic pancreatitis.[4] Chronic pancreatitis is a risk factor for the development of pancreatic cancer.[4]
Chronic pancreatitis | |
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Other names | Pancreatitis – chronic – discharge[1] |
Axial CT showing multiple calcifications in the pancreas in a patient with chronic pancreatitis | |
Specialty | Gastroenterology |
Symptoms | Nausea and vomiting[2][3] |
Complications | Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, Endocrine pancreatic insufficiency (Type 3c diabetes), pancreatic pseudocyst,[4] pancreatic cancer,[4] vitamin deficiency (fat-soluble vitamins)[4] |
Causes | Alcohol(ism), Immune disorder[5] |
Diagnostic method | Serum trypsinogen, Fecal fat test[2] |
Treatment | Pain medicines, avoiding alcohol(and smoking), among other possible management efforts[2] |
Frequency | 50 per 100,000 persons (prevalence) |