What is pancreatitis?

The pancreas is an organ behind the stomach. It makes hormones and enzymes to help your body digest food.

But if these enzymes attack the pancreas, it can get inflamed. This is called pancreatitis. Most cases are caused by gallstones or by heavy alcohol use.

If you take care of yourself at home, it will help you get better. It will also help you avoid more problems with your pancreas.

The main symptom of pancreatitis is pain or tenderness in the upper part of the belly. The pain can be severe. In older children, the pain can spread to their back. Babies and very young children may be cranky and cry more.

Your child may also have a fever, nausea, or vomiting. Not all children will have all these symptoms.

Some children get so sick that they have problems breathing.

Children with chronic pancreatitis may have other symptoms too. These include slow growth, weight loss, belly pain after eating, diarrhea, and oily stools that are hard to flush.

Treatment depends on the type of pancreatitis you have.

• An acute attack may be treated in the hospital with pain medicine and fluids.
• Treatment for chronic pancreatitis may include pain medicine, insulin, and enzyme pills. In some cases, a procedure or surgery may be an option.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP) is a procedure used to remove one or more gallstones from the common bile duct. ERCP can also be used to widen or drain blocked ducts and insert stents.

You can lower your risk for this disease by limiting how much alcohol you drink. The amount needed to cause pancreatitis may be different for each person. In general, a moderate amount is no more than 2 alcoholic drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women and older adults.

You can't fully prevent pancreatitis caused by gallstones. But you may be able to lower your risk for gallstones. To do this, it's important to stay at a healthy weight, be active, and eat healthy low-fat foods.

If you smoke, you may lower your risk for pancreatitis if you quit.

Your child's doctor will do an exam. The doctor will ask about your child's symptoms and past health. The doctor may be able to tell that your child has this problem based on the symptoms and where the child has pain in the belly.

Your child may have blood tests. These tests will check the levels of enzymes called amylase and lipase. With this condition, the levels of these enzymes are often very high.

Your child also may have imaging tests of the belly. These may include an ultrasound or MRI. Sometimes a special MRI test is used to look for blocked ducts.

• Drink clear liquids and eat bland foods until you feel better. Bland foods include rice, dry toast, and crackers. They also include bananas and applesauce.
• Eat a low-fat diet until your doctor says your pancreas is healed.
• Do not drink alcohol. Tell your doctor if you need help to quit. Counseling, support groups, and sometimes medicines can help you stay sober.
• Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
• Get extra rest until you feel better.

To prevent future problems with your pancreas

• Do not drink alcohol.
• Tell your doctors and pharmacist that you've had pancreatitis. They can help you avoid medicines that may cause this problem again.

The pancreas is an organ behind the stomach. It makes hormones and enzymes to help the body digest food.

Usually these enzymes flow from the pancreas to the intestines. But if they leak into the pancreas, they can irritate it and cause pain and swelling. This is called pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis often happens suddenly (acute). It lasts a short time. Most children have one attack and get better.

Sometimes a child gets pancreatitis more than once (acute recurrent). Or it turns into a long-term (chronic) condition. These problems are rare in children.

Most cases of pancreatitis are caused by gallstones or heavy alcohol use. The disease can also be caused by an injury, an infection, or certain medicines. In some cases, doctors don't know what causes the disease.