What is Chronic Pancreatitis?
Chronic pancreatitis is an ongoing or repeated inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach. It produces digestive enzymes to break down food. It also makes insulin, which controls the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The digestive enzymes flow into the small intestine. Insulin is released into the blood. Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic. Acute pancreatitis occurs as one sudden episode. After acute pancreatitis the pancreas usually returns to its normal condition. Chronic pancreatitis means ongoing pancreatitis in which there is permanent damage to the pancreas. The damaged pancreas gradually becomes unable to produce normal digestive enzymes and insulin.
