What is pancreatitis? Pancreatitis is inflammation of the
Reference pancreas Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window,
an organ in your belly that makes the hormones Reference insulin
Opens New Window and Reference glucagon Opens New Window. These
two hormones control how your body uses the sugar found in the
food you eat. Your pancreas also makes other hormones and
Reference enzymes Opens New Window that help you break down
food. Usually the digestive enzymes stay in one part of the
pancreas. But if these enzymes leak into other parts of the
pancreas, they can irritate it and cause pain and swelling. This
may happen suddenly or over many years. Over time, it can damage
and scar the pancreas. What causes pancreatitis? Most cases are
caused by Reference gallstones Opens New Window or alcohol
abuse. The disease can also be caused by an injury, an
infection, or certain medicines. Long-term, or chronic,
pancreatitis may occur after one attack. But it can also happen
over many years. In Western countries, alcoh