Chronic Pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis is a condition which usually follows repeated attacks of acute pancreatitis, most commonly as a result of alcohol abuse. There is failure of the functions of the pancreas, so that there is no digestion of fats and protein, causing malabsorption with large volumes of pale greasy stools which are difficult to flush away - called steatorrhoea - and damage to the cells of the Islets of Langerhans reduces the amount of insulin, causing diabetes mellitus.
Treatment involves taking enzyme supplements to help the absorption of food and reduce the steatorrhoea, and insulin by injection to treat the diabetes mellitus. It is also necessary to stop alcohol in order to prevent the disease worsening, but many find this difficult.
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