Chronic Pancreatitis

Introduction

The pancreas is a long, slender organ in the upper abdomen. The exocrine area of the pancreas produces digestive juices and the endocrine area makes hormones, such as insulin, that regulate how the body stores and uses food.

Both functions are impaired by chronic pancreatitis, an inflammatory disease that causes progressive, irreversible structural changes. Some persons develop diabetes and/or become unable to digest foods, especially fats. The lack of normal pancreatic enzymes adversely affects digestion and waste production. Abdominal pain is common, especially after eating. This illness can make stool bulky, fatty and odiferous (that's "steatorrhea"), and can cause stones to form in the pancreas.

In some 70% to 80% of cases, alcoholism is a factor, but other causes can include duct obstruction, nutritional factors and genetic abnormalities. About 30% of cases have no known cause. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, weight loss and steatorrhea. When symptoms are mild, no treatment is indicated. When needed, treatment focuses on pain control, relieving duct obstruction, correcting digestive problems, and detecting and managing complications.

The choice of treatment for you or for the patient you care about, depends on the cause, the portion of the organ involved, symptoms and duct size. This illness requires individual diagnosis and treatment. Not all patients respond to the same therapy. Treatment may consist of medications and, possibly, surgery. The Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery reports that surgery for chronic pancreatitis "can be performed safely with minimal morbidity and excellent long-term survival."

Learn more by ordering your MediFocus Guidebook on Chronic Pancreatitis, the most comprehensive, up-to-date source of information available. You will get answers to your questions, including:

• What are the risk factors of Chronic Pancreatitis?
• What standard and alternative treatment options are available?
• Where are the leading doctors, hospitals and medical centers that specialize in Chronic Pancreatitis research and treatment?
• What are the results of the latest clinical trials?
• Where are the support groups and additional resources in my area?
• What are the promising new treatments on the horizon?

You won't find this combination of information anywhere else. Your health matters. Don't leave it to chance. Arm yourself with the most comprehensive, up-to-date research available by ordering your MediFocus Guidebook today. Click here to preview the MediFocus Guidebook on Chronic Pancreatitis.