Pancreatitis

Overview

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that causes severe abdominal pain. It occurs when proteins (enzymes) produced to help digest food in the small intestine are prematurely activated and irritate the pancreas. Pancreatitis can be acute (sudden) or chronic (slow developing). Severe pancreatitis can have serious consequences, including malnutrition, diabetes, kidney failure and death.

Why Choose Mayo Clinic

• Experience. Mayo Clinic doctors evaluate and treat hundreds of people with pancreatitis each year. Many people are referred to Mayo Clinic because of its experience and expertise in using minimally invasive procedures to treat pancreatitis.
• Team approach. A team of experts works together to ensure you receive the appropriate treatment for your condition. Mayo Clinic in Minnesota operates a daily Pancreas Clinic dedicated to treating patients and promoting research on pancreatitis and pancreatic disorders. With more than 20 doctors from different specialties, the clinic is one of the largest groups of pancreatic experts in the world.
• Comprehensive options. Your care team has access to virtually every tool to help diagnose and treat pancreatitis — including advanced CT and MRI imaging, endoscopic ultrasound, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), stents for draining fluid, pancreatic surgery and auto islet cell transplantation.
• Research. Mayo Clinic researchers have studied pancreatic disease extensively to improve diagnosis and treatment options and have published numerous articles on this subject in medical journals.

Read more about pancreatitis at MayoClinic.com.