DIAGNOSIS
Your doctor will obtain a medical history and will do a physical exam. Tests may be requested which may include following:
- Blood tests such as pancreatic enzyme tests
- Stool examination
- Computerized tomography scan of the abdomen
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Endoscopic ultrasound
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
TREATMENT
The doctor may advise you to do fasting or stop eating so that your pancreas can heal. After the inflammation in the pancreas has subsided, you can drink fluids and eat soft foods. If pancreatitis persists, your doctor may recommend that you have a feeding tube.
Pain medicines, as well as intravenous fluids may be given.
Once your pancreatitis is under control, your physician can treat the basic reason for your pancreatitis. Treatments depend on the primary cause and may include the following:
- Open surgery
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or ERCP
- Gallbladder surgery
- Pancreas surgery
- Your doctor may also recommend treatment for alcohol dependence