Chronic Pancreatitis is a long-term, progressive disease that cannot be cured. While available treatment options cannot cure the underlying cause of the condition, they can help to manage the symptoms and slow the progression of the disease together with some lifestyle changes.
It is recommended that all patients make the following lifestyle changes:
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Eat a low-fat diet
- Consult a nutritionist to ensure a diet rich in the proper vitamins and minerals
- Eat small, frequent meals
- Limit caffeine
- Avoid smoking and alcohol
For those with severe pain or serious weight loss, a hospital stay may be necessary, accompanied by the following:
- Pain medicines
- Fluids given through a vein (IV)
- Stopping food or fluid by mouth to limit the activity of the pancreas, and then slowly starting an oral diet
- Inserting a tube through the nose or mouth to remove the contents of the stomach (nasogastric suctioning) may sometimes be done. The tube may stay in for 1 – 2 days, or sometimes for 1 – 2 weeks.
Other treatments may involve:
- Pancreatic enzymes to help digest food and gain weight
- Pain medication or a surgical nerve block to relieve pain
- Insulin to control blood sugar levels
It is important to work with a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause of chronic pancreatitis and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
It’s also worth noting that, a liver transplant may be considered in some cases of chronic pancreatitis, but it is a last resort, and it is only done if the pancreatitis is caused by a genetic disorder or if the patient develops end-stage liver disease.