Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis

Tests and procedures used to diagnose pancreatitis include :

• Blood tests to look for elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes, along with white blood cells, kidney function and liver enzymes
• Abdominal ultrasound to look for gallstones and pancreas inflammation
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan to look for gallstones and assess the extent of pancreas inflammation
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look for abnormalities in the gallbladder, pancreas and ducts
• Endoscopic ultrasound to look for inflammation and blockages in the pancreatic duct or bile duct
• Stool tests in chronic pancreatitis to measure levels of fat that could suggest your digestive system isn’t absorbing nutrients adequately

Your doctor of the church may recommend other tests, depending on your especial situation .

Care at Mayo Clinic

Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your pancreatitis-related health concerns Start here

Treatment

initial treatments in the hospital may include :

• Early eating. Old data suggested to stop eat for a match of days in the hospital in ordering to give your pancreas a chance to recover. This is no longer practiced. Newer data have suggested that eating deoxyadenosine monophosphate soon as you tolerate food helps heal the pancreas .
  As the excitement in your pancreas improves and annoyance symptoms improve, you should begin drinking clear liquids and eating bland foods. With time, you can go back to your normal diet .
  If your pancreatitis symptoms prevail and you still experience pain when eat, your doctor may recommend a eating pipe to help you get nutrition .
• Pain medications. Pancreatitis can cause severe pain. Your health care team will give you medications to help control the pain.
• Intravenous (IV) fluids. As your body devotes energy and fluids to repairing your pancreas, you may become dehydrated. For this reason, you’ll receive extra fluids through a vein in your arm during your hospital stay.

once your pancreatitis is under control, your health care team will evaluate and treat the fundamental lawsuit of your pancreatitis. Depending on the cause of your pancreatitis, treatment may include :

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography ( ERCP ) uses a dye to highlight the bile ducts and pancreatic duct on roentgenogram images. A thinly, compromising tube ( endoscope ) with a television camera on the end is passed down your throat and into your small intestine. The dye enters the ducts through a modest empty tube ( catheter ) passed through the endoscope .

• Procedures to remove bile duct obstructions. Pancreatitis caused by a narrowed or blocked bile duct may require procedures to open or widen the bile duct .
  A procedure called endoscopic regress cholangiopancreatography ( ERCP ) uses a long tube with a television camera on the end to examine your pancreas and bile ducts. The pipe is passed down your throat, and the camera sends pictures of your digestive arrangement to a admonisher. Anesthesia is used for this procedure .
  ERCP can aid in diagnosing problems in the bile duct and pancreatic duct and in removing obstructions, such as gallstones. In some people, however, ERCP can besides lead to acute pancreatitis .
• Gallbladder surgery. If gallstones caused your pancreatitis, your doctor will recommend surgery to remove your gallbladder (cholecystectomy).
• Pancreas procedures. Endoscopic procedures may be necessary to drain fluid from your pancreas or to remove diseased tissue.
• Treatment for alcohol dependence. Drinking several drinks a day over many years can cause pancreatitis. If this is the cause of your pancreatitis, your doctor may recommend you enter a treatment program for alcohol addiction. Continuing to drink alcohol would worsen your pancreatitis and lead to serious complications.
• Medication changes: If a medication is deemed to be a cause of acute pancreatitis, your doctor may stop the medication and work with you to find alternative options.

Additional treatments for chronic pancreatitis

Depending on your situation, chronic pancreatitis may require extra treatments, including :

• Pain management. Chronic pancreatitis can cause persistent abdominal trouble. Your doctor will evaluate you for causes of chronic pancreatitis and may recommend medications to control your pain. If necessity, you may be referred to a pain specialist .
  Severe pain may be relieved with options such as endoscopic sonography or injections to block nerves that send pain signals from the pancreas to the brain .
• Enzymes to improve digestion. In chronic pancreatitis leading to diarrhea or weight loss, pancreatic enzyme supplements can help your body break down and process the nutrients in the foods you eat. Pancreatic enzymes are taken with each meal.
• Changes to your diet. Your doctor may refer you to a dietitian who can help you plan low-fat meals that are high in nutrients.

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Clinical trials

explore Mayo Clinic studies testing raw treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or do this condition .

Lifestyle and home remedies

once you leave the hospital, you can take steps to continue your convalescence from pancreatitis, such as :

• Stop drinking alcohol. Even if alcohol was not deemed to be the cause of acute pancreatitis, it is prudent to stop drinking alcohol while recovering. If you’re unable to stop drinking alcohol on your own, ask your doctor for help. Your doctor can refer you to local programs to help you stop drinking.
• Stop smoking. If you smoke, quit. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you can’t quit on your own, ask your doctor for help. Medications and counseling can help you quit smoking.
• Choose a low-fat diet. Choose a diet that limits fat and emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.
• Drink more fluids. Pancreatitis can cause dehydration, so drink more fluids throughout the day. It may help to keep a water bottle or glass of water with you.

Alternative medicine

alternative therapies ca n’t treat pancreatitis, but some alternative therapies may help you cope with the trouble associated with pancreatitis .
People with chronic pancreatitis may experience constant trouble that is n’t easily controlled with medications. Using complementary and alternate medicate therapies along with medications prescribed by your doctor may help you feel more in control of your pain .
Examples of alternate therapies that may help you cope with pain include :

• Meditation
• Relaxation exercises
• Yoga
• Acupuncture

Preparing for your appointment

start by seeing your kin doctor or a general practitioner if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you. If your doctor of the church suspects you may have pancreatitis, you may be referred to a repair who specializes in the digestive organization ( gastroenterologist ) .
Because appointments can be brief, and because there ‘s frequently a set to discuss, it ‘s a good idea to be well prepare. here ‘s some information to help you get ready and know what to expect from your repair.

What you can do

• Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there’s anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
• Write down any symptoms you’re experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
• Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
• Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you’re taking.
• Take a family member or friend along. Sometimes it can be difficult to absorb all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
• Write down questions to ask your doctor.

For pancreatitis, some basic questions to ask your repair include :

• What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
• What are other possible causes for my symptoms or condition?
• What kinds of tests do I need?
• Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
• What is the best course of action?
• What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you’re suggesting?
• I have other health conditions. How can I best manage pancreatitis along with these conditions?
• Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
• Should I see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover it?
• Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you’re prescribing?
• Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?
• What will determine whether I should plan for a follow-up visit?

In summation to the questions that you ‘ve prepared to ask your sophisticate, do n’t hesitate to ask other questions .

What to expect from your doctor

Your sophisticate is probably to ask you a count of questions. Being ready to answer them may allow more time to cover points you want to address. Your doctor may ask :

• When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
• Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
• How severe are your symptoms?
• What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
• What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
• Have you had these symptoms before?
• Have you been diagnosed with pancreatitis in the past?
• Do you drink alcohol? If so, how much and how often do you drink?
• Did you start any new medications before your symptoms began?
• Is there a family history of any pancreas disease?