Hereditary Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is a illness where the pancreas rapidly becomes inflamed. Enzymes may enter the bloodstream in an attack causing severe complications.

Individuals who are vulnerable to alcohol injury of the pancreas can develop blockage of the pancreatic duct and often get dilation of the duct and form stones.

Cholangitis is an inflammation of the bile ducts where stones from the gallbladder become lodged, obstructing flow of bile from the liver to the intestine.

Cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gallbladder that may be either acute or chronic. Complaints of upper-right abdominal pain can last from minutes to days.

Chronic pancreatitis develops slowly and can increasingly worsen over time with the pancreas losing its ability to make enough digestive enzymes and insulin.

Diabetes occurs when sugars build up in the blood due to the pancreas not producing enough insulin (or not using it correctly) resulting in low energy levels.

Patients with small gallstones may pass them from the gallbladder to the main bile duct blocking off the pancreatic duct causing a severe form of pancreatitis.

Gallstones are created in the gallbladder forming bile substances of hard, crystal-like particles. Bile duct stones move out of the gallbladder becoming lodged.

The pancreas and biliary system can be affected by many diseases such as gallstones and bile duct stones, SOD, pancreatitis, cholecystitis ... and more.

IPMN is a cause of pancreatitis where cells that line the pancreatic duct change into premalignant cells that produce mucous and block off the pancreatic duct.

Pancreatic cancer is the 4th most common cause of cancer in U.S. Some risk factors include: family history, smoking, obesity, diabetes and chronic pancreatitis.

Pancreas divisum is a birth defect where the normal drainage of pancreatic juices is altered, possibly resulting in pancreatitis and/or elevated duct pressures.

If the ducts from the liver to the duodenum sustain enough damage, or experience bouts of cholangitis, gallstones or other conditions may develop scar tissue.

Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction is when the opening mechanism from the biliary tree into the small bowel is disturbed causing pain, leakage and/or other issues.