Chronic pancreatitis is an ongoing or recurrent inflammation of the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes to break down food. It also makes insulin, which regulates the level of glucose in the blood. The digestive enzymes flow into the small intestine. Insulin is released into the blood.
Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic.
Acute pancreatitis occurs as one sudden episode. In acute pancreatitis the pancreas can usually return to its normal condition. Chronic pancreatitis means ongoing pancreatitis in which there is permanent damage to the pancreas. The damaged pancreas becomes less able over time to produce normal digestive enzymes and hormones. Chronic pancreatitis occurs most commonly after one or more episodes of acute pancreatitis.