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Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: chronic pancreatitis + pancreatitis + 304,000  Related to the article below (Last Update: 8/5/2008)

Calif. Girl, 17, Dies From 'Usually' Nonfatal Fungus Spores Found ... FOXNews - She also contracted pancreatitis and meningitis. Valley fever is found in the San Joaquin Valley and other Western states. Only 1 percent of people who ... City doc's in ?5m war on cancer Liverpool Echo, UK - At present there are no specific drugs to treat acute pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis, and even fewer to treat pancreatic cancer meaning the prognosis ... Signs That Diabetes Drug May Extend Lives New York Times, United States - Concerns about pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas that can be fatal in rare cases, have also hurt the drug, although Byetta has not been proved ... Dental Care For A Dog With Pancreatitis Hartford Courant, United States - Jul 19, 2008 Q: My Chihuahua, Shasta, was diagnosed with pancreatitis in January and had another bout in March. She's now on a special gastro diet. ... University of Arizona News (press release) Internationally Renowned Islet Cell Transplant Surgeon Joins UA University of Arizona News (press release), AZ - Jul 24, 2008 Rilo joins the UA to establish a clinical islet transplant program to treat patients with severe type 1 diabetes or with painful chronic pancreatitis. ... Gilead AIDS Drugs May Hold Key to Prevent Infections (Update3) Bloomberg - Other antiviral drugs are associated with side effects such as anemia, pancreatitis, and liver damage, she said. Only a drug with an excellent safety record ...GILD Noblesville Daily Times Chronic illness brings pain and blessing for Hamilton County family Noblesville Daily Times, IN - Jul 30, 2008 Connie, 45, was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis nearly three years ago. The pancreas produces the hormones insulin and glucagon which control the body?s ... Covington MultiCare?s beautifier refuses to slow down PNW Local News, WA - Jul 23, 2008 Despite having chronic pancreatitis, Arkin, 58, tends to the grounds of the clinic as part of his duties for MultiCare Health System, which is headquartered ... Woman's death injuries led to three-day police probe Advertiser 24, UK - Jul 30, 2008 An inquest into Ms Hennessy's death held yesterday (Wednesday) revealed that she had diabetes, a fatty liver and chronic pancreatitis which arose from her ... TopCancerNews.com Panel of proteins linked to early development of pancreatic cancer ... TopCancerNews.com, TX - Jul 31, 2008 For comparison purposes, the researchers analyzed blood from 20 healthy subjects and 15 people diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis. ...

Pancreatitis - Chronic

The pancreas is positioned behind the stomach. It produces enzymes to digest food. When these enzymes attack the pancreas instead, inflammation occurs.

Acute pancreatitis is sudden, severe inflammation. Chronic pancreatitis is ongoing. It may be milder. However, it causes stomach pain, food intolerance and nausea.

Over time, this disease harms the pancreas, making it hard to produce digestive enzymes and hormones. That can lead to chronic diarrhea, malnutrition and diabetes.

The clearest sign is pain. It can be severe at times. It often seems to go away over time. A doctor will check for signs of jaundice, weakness, severe weight loss and diarrhea or foul-smelling stools.

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You should be tested for chronic pancreatitis if you have a family history of pancreatitis, a history of alcohol abuse or several bouts of severe abdominal pain. The doctor will use one or more of the following:

• Blood tests to check the levels pancreatic enzymes, which tend to be high during an attack.
  
• Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scans or ultrasound, both of which can show inflammation and any scarring in soft tissues.
  
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), a non-invasive procedure used to find and treat blockages in the pancreatic and biliary ducts.
  

Most chronic pancreatitis is caused by alcohol abuse. Gallstones, surgical scarring, tumors or an abnormality in the pancreatic duct cause the rest. Rare cases develop from a genetic disorder or cystic fibrosis.

There is no way to screen for the disease. However, anyone who has had an acute alcohol-induced attack can reduce the risk by stopping or cutting down on the amount of alcohol he or she drinks.

Though there is no cure, some patients can reduce the symptoms and make up for nutritional deficiencies. Doctors often prescribe digestive enzymes and vitamin supplements. Patients who develop diabetes may have to take insulin shots and follow strict diets.

How severe symptoms are varies. In mild cases caused by alcohol abuse, the patient may be able to get relief by simply avoiding alcohol. Those who don't or fail to respond well to other treatments, often live with disabling daily pain and regular trips to the hospital.

Most pain can be relieved with over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Some patients may need narcotics. In a few cases, where there are blockages, surgery or ERCP may open the blocked ducts or remove part of the pancreas.