EPI –when the pancreas does not secrete enough digestive enzymes– is common in people with chronic pancreatitis. This is because as the pancreas gets scarred, the part of the pancreas that generates enzymes is destroyed. As a result, the pancreas is unable to produce these enzymes that are essential to digest food. If you suffer from EPI, your body has difficulties breaking down food.

TPIAT, or Total Pancreatectomy with Islet Autotransplantation, is a surgery primarily for people with recurrent acute and chronic pancreatitis. It involves the full removal of the pancreas and the storage of the patient’s own islet cells. If you suffer from pancreatitis, you might have questions regarding TPIAT surgery.

Pancreatitis patients suffer terrible pain that requires pain management, along with other symptoms, and are often frustrated at the lack of effective treatments. Today, thanks to advances in genomics (the study of genes and their function), we’re on a path toward developing those treatments because we see the clear connection between pancreatitis and genetics. We are expediting these new discoveries and jumpstarting progress toward treatments—and eventually cures—for pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis symptoms can vary, but the main symptom of pancreatitis is severe abdominal pain in the upper right abdomen that radiates to the back.

Chronic pancreatitis can be caused by a genetic defect, physical injury to the pancreas, gallstones or other blockages, or medications. Alcohol abuse and smoking can contribute to chronic pancreatitis. For many chronic pancreatitis patients the cause is unknown.

There is a  connection between pancreatitis and alcohol. However, it is often  misunderstood. Many people think that drinking alcohol causes chronic pancreatitis. This is wrong! New studies show that pancreatitis is not a disease of alcoholics. Alcohol alone does not directly cause chronic pancreatitis.

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