Inflammation of the pancreas is a health condition known as pancreatitis. Some people experience acute forms of pancreatitis, meaning symptoms come on suddenly but only last a short period. On the other hand, the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis happen gradually and lead to more serious health effects over time.
Chronic pancreatitis can be effectively managed, and the first step to getting help is receiving an accurate diagnosis. Here’s how doctors can determine whether a patient is experiencing chronic pancreatitis.
A bout of acute pancreatitis causes symptoms like abdominal pain, fever, elevated heart rate, and nausea. Chronic forms of pancreatitis also cause these symptoms, but they are often accompanied by lack of appetite, light-headedness, unwanted weight loss, and frequent indigestion after meals.
A doctor can assess your symptoms and collect information on your family health history and lifestyle. They will also ask you about risk factors like heavy consumption of alcohol and your history of gallstones.
When symptoms of chronic pancreatitis are present, doctors can use the following lab tests to confirm a diagnosis:
Additional blood tests can also be performed to check for the presence of nutrients, such as a sufficient concentration of fat-soluble vitamins.
Along with lab testing, diagnostic imaging can provide information on the pancreas to ensure an accurate diagnosis. Patients may undergo a CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound so that doctors can look for visible signs of damage to the organ.