People who have pancreatitis experience attacks of sudden, severe pain in the abdomen. Attacks usually occur after large meals and may become chronic. Chronic pancreatitis can lead to diabetes, inability to digest food, or cancer of the pancreas. Acute attacks often result in death.
Pancreatitis primarily affects the portion of the pancreas that produces digestive enzymes.
Normally, these enzymes flow through a duct into the small intestine, where they break down food. In people with pancreatitis, however, the inflamed pancreas releases enzymes into its own tissue instead of into the duct. The enzymes break down the tissue of the pancreas and can continue to do so until the entire organ is destroyed. Heavy or prolonged drinking of alcoholic beverages increases the risk of developing pancreatitis. People who smoke cigarettes and those who have gallstones also are at special risk.