Treating chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis can result in severe, repeated episodes of pain, diabetes and malabsorption. As a result, treatment is geared towards 

• Relieving the pain
• Preventing additoinal episodes
• Managing the malabsorption and diabetes, if they develop

Pain Relief 

The pain that comes from chronic pancreatitis can put people in bed for days. Fortunately, a variety of treatment tools are available—depending on the severity and frequency of the pain. These tools include medicines, endoscopy procedures, surgery and a number of supportive therapies. 

Preventing Episodes

Unfortunately, there is no consistent, proven way to prevent every episode of pancreatitis. But the following are suggestions that may help reduce or stop pancreatitis flares:

• a healthy low fat diet
• regular exercise
• avoiding smoking and alcohol

Managing Malabsorption

Chronic pancreatitis damages the cells that make our digestive enzymes and destroys the ducts that deliver those enzymes. This results in EPI (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency) which causes malabsorption. Malabsorption can then cause other problems.

Fortunately, pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) prevents further malabsorption and often reverses many of the problems associated with malabsorption.

Managing Diabetes

A combination of insulin and a healthy, diet for diabetes can keep diabetes under good control. An endocrinologist, registered dietitian and a diabetes educator can determine the appropriate treatment plan of insulin and diet.