Pancreatitis becomes chronic when the inflammation of the pancreas does not heal or improve and gradually worsens, usually due to factors such as alcohol consumption.

• Symptoms of Chronic Pancreatitis
  • Abdominal pain, which may come and go or be continuous
  • Pale or clay-colored stool, fatty or oily stool
  • Unexplained weight loss
• Diagnosis of Chronic Pancreatitis
  • Review of patient history and a physical examination
  • Laboratory testing: amylase and lipase tests
  • Ultrasound to check for other possible causes of the symptoms, such as gallstones
  • X-ray computed tomography

• Gallstones, which can block the pancreatic duct, causing inflammation of the pancreas and eventually leading to pancreatitis
• Alcoholism
• People under 35 suffering from pancreatitis are recommended to undergo genetic testing, as pancreatitis can occur as a result of PRSS1, CFTR, or SPINK1  mutations (there is a 25% chance that pancreatitis can occur from a genetic mutation).
   

• Avoid consuming excessive amounts of food or drink in order to reduce the work pressure of the pancreas
• Take fluids intravenously to prevent dehydration and maintain an appropriate balance of fluids in the body
• Take pain-killing medication
• Avoid the consumption of alcohol
• Undergo gallbladder surgery. If the pancreatitis was caused by gallstones, the doctor may recommend surgery to remove the gallbladder.