What is the difference between acute and chronic pancreatitis?
Acute pancreatitis is an acute inflammatory process that affects the pancreas and may also impact other body systems such as the lungs, kidneys, etc. In acute pancreatitis, amylase and lipase levels are usually elevated and symptoms can be resolved with bowel rest. Acute relapsing pancreatitis means acute pancreatitis keeps recurring. Acute relapsing pancreatitis can evolve to chronic pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis is the scarring of the pancreas from repeated episodes of pancreatitis. With chronic pancreatitis, the amylase and lipase levels can stay within normal ranges due to the enzyme producing portion of the pancrease has been so damaged by the inflammation of the gland. Frequently, CP is not understood, even in emergency rooms, and the proper diagnosis of pain due to CP is missed because the enzymes are normal.
