Chronic Pancreatitis
Chronic Pancreatitis is a condition which usually follows repeated attacks of acute pancreatitis. It is rare in childhood, but occasionally occurs in late adolescence. In adults it is usually the result of prolonged 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 theIslets of Langerhans reduces the amount of insulin, causing insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).
Treatment involves taking enzyme supplements to help the absorption of food and reduce the steatorrhoea, and insulin by injection to treat the diabetes mellitus.
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