Chronic Pancreatitis: What It Is and What You Can Do

Chronic pancreatitis is ongoing inflammation that slowly damages the pancreas. That can mean steady abdominal pain, trouble digesting food, weight loss, and even diabetes over time. If you’re dealing with repeated belly pain or unexplained weight loss, this page gives clear, practical steps to help you know what to expect and what to ask your doctor.

What causes it?

Most cases come from long-term alcohol use or repeated bouts of acute pancreatitis. Other common causes are high triglycerides, certain genetic conditions, autoimmune problems, and blockages from gallstones. Sometimes no clear cause is found — doctors call that idiopathic. Smoking raises the risk and speeds up damage, so quitting is one of the best steps you can take.

Symptoms usually build slowly. The main sign is persistent upper abdominal pain that can radiate to the back and get worse after eating. You may notice greasy, foul-smelling stools (steatorrhea), oily spotting in the toilet, or sudden weight loss from poor nutrient absorption. Over time the pancreas may make less insulin, leading to diabetes. Nausea and poor appetite are also common.

How you can manage it

Diagnosis combines your story, blood tests, and imaging. Amylase and lipase levels can be normal in chronic cases, so doctors often use CT scans, MRI/MRCP, or endoscopic ultrasound to see scarring, duct changes, or calcifications. Stool tests check for fat malabsorption. Blood sugar tests screen for diabetes.

Treatment focuses on easing pain, replacing enzymes, and fixing complications. Key steps you might expect:

- Stop alcohol and smoking. That lowers flare-ups and slows damage.
- Eat small, low-fat meals and spread calories across the day.
- Take pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) with meals to help digest fats and reduce greasy stools.
- Get tested and treated for vitamin deficiencies (A, D, E, K) if needed.
- Control blood sugar if diabetes develops — work with your care team on the best plan.
- For severe or blocked ducts, endoscopic procedures or surgery may be options to relieve pain or drain pseudocysts.

Pain control matters but must be handled carefully. Over-the-counter options like acetaminophen or an NSAID may help short-term. Stronger pain meds are sometimes needed but carry risks, so discuss long-term plans with your doctor and look into non-drug options like nerve blocks or physical therapy when appropriate.

When should you see a doctor right away? Seek care for fever, jaundice (yellowing skin or eyes), sudden severe pain that won’t ease, dehydration, or big weight loss. For ongoing management, find a doctor who knows pancreatic disease — a gastroenterologist is often the best place to start.

BlueChew Pharma Insights collects clear, easy-to-read resources on medications, nutrition, and tests that can help people with chronic conditions. Use this info to ask better questions at your next appointment and build a care plan that fits your life.