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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Pancreatitis is a term used to describe inflammation in the pancreas. The pancreas is a long, flat gland that sits tucked behind the stomach in the upper abdomen. The pancreas produces enzymes that help digestion and hormones that help regulate the way your body processes sugar (glucose).
Pancreatitis can occur as acute pancreatitis — meaning it appears suddenly and lasts for days. Or pancreatitis can occur as chronic pancreatitis, which describes pancreatitis that occurs over many years.
Mild cases of pancreatitis may go away without treatment, but severe cases can cause life-threatening complications.
- Gachago C, et al. Pain management in chronic pancreatitis. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2008;14:3137.
- Nair RJ, et al. Chronic pancreatitis. American Family Physician. 2007;16:1679.
- Frossard JL, et al. Acute pancreatitis. Lancet. 2008;371:143.
- Treiber M, et al. Genetics of pancreatitis: A guide for clinicians. Current Gastroenterology Reports. 2008;10:122.
- Twedell D. Acute pancreatitis. Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing. 2008;39:341.
- Cappell MS. Acute pancreatitis: Etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and therapy. Medical Clinics of North America. 2008;92:889.
- Pancreatitis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/pancreatitis/. Accessed Dec. 5, 2008.
- Pancreatitis. American Gastroenterological Association. http://www.gastro.org/wmspage.cfm?parm1=855. Accessed Dec. 5, 2008.
- Sareen S, et al. Yoga: A tool for improving the quality of life in chronic pancreatitis. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2007;13:391.
- Bhardwaj P, et al. A randomized controlled trial of antioxidant supplementation for pain relief in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Gastroenterology. In Press. Accessed Dec. 8, 2008.
