When To Call A Professional

See a health-care provider if you have:

• Repeated episodes of abdominal pain or severe pain

• Unexplained weight loss or diarrhea

• Difficulty cutting back or stopping your alcohol use, especially if you have had a previous attack of acute pancreatitis

Prognosis

Although chronic pancreatitis is an incurable condition, the severity, frequency and type of symptoms can vary. Some people - especially those who quit drinking alcohol entirely - have very mild or occasional symptoms that are easily managed with medications. Other people - especially those who continue to drink alcohol - can have disabling, daily pain and may require frequent hospitalizations. Some research suggests that chronic pancreatitis may increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Additional Info

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders Office of Communications and Public Liaison Building 31, Room 9A04 Center Drive, MSC 2560 Bethesda, MD 20892-2560 Phone: (301) 496-3583 Fax: (301) 496-7422 http://www.niddk.nih.gov/

American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 4900 B South, 31st St. Arlington, VA 22206 Phone: (703) 820-7400 Fax: (703) 931-4520 http://www.acg.gi.org/

American Gastroenterological Association 7910 Woodmont Ave. Seventh Floor Bethesda, MD 20814 Phone: (301) 654-2055 Fax: (301) 652-3890 http://www.gastro.org/