Comprehensive Care for Long-Term Pancreatic Health

What is Chronic Pancreatitis?

Chronic pancreatitis is a long-term condition characterized by persistent inflammation of the pancreas, leading to irreversible damage. Over time, the pancreas loses its ability to produce digestive enzymes and insulin, causing significant digestive and metabolic issues.

At Central Gastro, we specialize in the diagnosis and management of chronic pancreatitis, offering advanced care to alleviate symptoms, address complications, and improve quality of life.

Causes of Chronic Pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis can develop from various underlying conditions, including:

• Alcohol Use: Prolonged and excessive alcohol consumption is a leading cause.
• Genetics: Hereditary conditions like cystic fibrosis or genetic mutations.
• Congenital Anatomic abnormalities: Like pancreas divisum can cause repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis, leading to chronic inflammation.
• Autoimmune Diseases: Autoimmune pancreatitis.
• High Triglycerides (Hypertriglyceridemia): Elevated fat levels in the blood.
• Idiopathic (Unknown Causes): In some cases, the cause is not identified.

Symptoms of Chronic Pancreatitis

Symptoms may vary in severity and progression, including:

• Persistent Abdominal Pain: Often in the upper abdomen, radiating to the back.
• Nausea and Vomiting: Especially after meals.
• Weight Loss: Due to malabsorption of nutrients.
• Steatorrhea: Fatty, foul-smelling stools caused by poor fat digestion.
• Diabetes: As insulin production decreases over time.

If you experience these symptoms, early evaluation and management are critical.

Complications of Chronic Pancreatitis

Without proper treatment, chronic pancreatitis can lead to:

• Pancreatic Insufficiency: Inability to produce enzymes for digestion.
• Diabetes Mellitus: Caused by damage to insulin-producing cells.
• Pancreatic Pseudocysts: Fluid collections that may become infected.
• Chronic Pain: Severe, persistent pain requiring specialized care.
• Pancreatic Cancer: Increased risk in patients with chronic inflammation.

Diagnosis of Chronic Pancreatitis

At Central Gastro, we use advanced diagnostic tools to confirm and evaluate chronic pancreatitis:

1. Blood Tests:
2. Imaging Studies:

• CT Scan or MRI: For detailed imaging of the pancreas and surrounding tissues.
• Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): Provides high-resolution images to identify inflammation, fibrosis, or cysts.
• MRCP (Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography): Non-invasive imaging of the pancreatic and bile ducts.

3. Functional Tests:

• Fecal Elastase Test: Measures enzyme levels in stool to evaluate pancreatic function.
• Secretin Stimulation Test: Assesses the pancreas’s ability to produce digestive enzymes.

Treatment Options for Chronic Pancreatitis

Our team at Central Gastro provides comprehensive care for chronic pancreatitis, focusing on symptom relief, restoring digestive function, and preventing complications:

1. Pain Management

• • Medications 
  • Endoscopic Therapy: To relieve ductal obstruction or remove stones causing pain 

• EUS guided nerve block 

2. Nutritional Support

• Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy (PERT): Supplements to aid digestion and improve nutrient absorption.
• Dietary Counseling: Low-fat, high-protein diets tailored to your needs.
• Vitamin and Mineral Supplements: To address deficiencies, especially in fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).

3. Diabetes Management

• Insulin therapy or oral medications for blood sugar control.
• Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels.

4. Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Procedures

• ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography): To remove stones or place stents in blocked ducts. (LINK)
• EUS guided Drainage of Pseudocysts: Endoscopic or percutaneous techniques.

5. Surgical Interventions

• Pancreatic Resection or Drainage Surgery: For severe cases with significant ductal obstruction or complications.
• Total Pancreatectomy with Islet Auto-Transplantation (TPIAT): To preserve insulin production in selected cases.

Lifestyle Modifications

Chronic pancreatitis management also involves long-term lifestyle changes:

• Alcohol Abstinence: Critical to prevent further pancreatic damage.
• Smoking Cessation: Smoking exacerbates the risk of complications.
• Healthy Diet: Frequent small meals with low-fat content.
• Regular Follow-Ups: Monitoring for disease progression and complications.

When to Seek Treatment for Chronic Pancreatitis

If you experience persistent abdominal pain, weight loss, or signs of malabsorption, contact us for an evaluation. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications and improve outcomes.