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Condition

Pancreatitis

Acute or chronic pancreatitis — diagnosis, cause-specific care, and complication management.

Overview

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas — the organ behind the stomach that makes digestive enzymes and insulin. It can be acute (sudden and severe) or chronic (building up over years). The two leading causes in India are gallstones and alcohol; rarer causes include high triglycerides, certain medications, and autoimmune disease. Both forms need proper diagnosis and ongoing care.

Common symptoms

  • Severe pain in the upper abdomen, often radiating to the back
  • Pain that worsens after eating
  • Nausea and persistent vomiting
  • Fever and rapid pulse (in acute cases)
  • Unintentional weight loss and oily, foul-smelling stools (in chronic cases)
  • New-onset diabetes in some patients with chronic disease

When to see a doctor

Severe abdominal pain with vomiting is an emergency — seek care immediately. For milder recurring symptoms, especially after meals or alcohol, see a specialist for evaluation. Chronic pancreatitis needs structured long-term management to prevent flare-ups and address nutrition.

How we help

We diagnose pancreatitis with blood work (lipase/amylase) and imaging (ultrasound, CT, MRCP) to find the cause. Acute cases need close monitoring and supportive care, including ERCP when a gallstone blocks the bile duct. Chronic pancreatitis needs pain management, pancreatic enzyme replacement, nutritional support, screening for complications (pseudocysts, diabetes), and addressing the underlying cause — gallstone removal, alcohol abstinence support, lipid management.

This is general information, not a substitute for medical advice. For guidance specific to your case, please consult Dr. Ch. Saikumar or another qualified specialist.

Patient questions

Pancreatitis — common questions

Answers to the questions we hear most often about pancreatitis.

What causes pancreatitis?
In India, the two leading causes are gallstones blocking the pancreatic duct and alcohol. Less common causes include high triglycerides, certain medications, abdominal trauma, autoimmune disease, and rare genetic conditions.
Is pancreatitis curable?
Acute pancreatitis usually resolves with treatment, and addressing the underlying cause (removing gallstones, stopping alcohol) prevents recurrence. Chronic pancreatitis is a longer-term condition where management focuses on pain control, nutrition, and preventing complications.
Can I drink alcohol after pancreatitis?
No — even one episode of alcohol-related pancreatitis is a clear signal to stop entirely. Continuing to drink dramatically increases the risk of recurrent attacks and progression to chronic pancreatitis.
Are enzyme supplements helpful?
For chronic pancreatitis with maldigestion (oily stools, weight loss), yes — pancreatic enzyme replacement improves nutrient absorption and reduces symptoms. They're not usually needed in acute pancreatitis or mild chronic cases.
What foods should I avoid?
Stop alcohol completely. Reduce very high-fat meals, especially during flares. Smaller, more frequent meals are easier to digest. We tailor specific advice based on the cause and severity.
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