Patient education: Pancreatitis – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.

What is pancreatitis? — Pancreatitis is a condition that can cause severe belly pain.

The pancreas is an organ that makes hormones and juices that help break down food (figure 1). Pancreatitis is the term for when this organ gets irritated or swollen.

Pancreatitis can be:

●Acute – This is when there is a sudden episode of pain. Most of the time, acute pancreatitis is caused by gallstones or alcohol misuse.

●Chronic – This is when the pancreas gets damaged by irritation over time. People with chronic pancreatitis have pain as well as trouble digesting food normally. It can also lead to other health problems, including diabetes (high blood sugar).

Chronic pancreatitis can be caused by alcohol, smoking, or high triglyceride levels. In some cases, it can be "hereditary." This means that it is caused by a gene that runs in families. Or it can be "autoimmune." This is when the body's infection-fighting system (immune system) attacks the pancreas.

Depending on the cause of your pancreatitis, you might need different treatments.

How do I care for myself at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

●Take all of your medicines as instructed. This might include medicines to help with pain.

If you had pancreatitis, you might need other medicines, too. These can include medicines to control your blood sugar and "enzymes" to help your body digest food. You will also need extra vitamins if your body cannot absorb these from food.

●Avoid alcohol – This includes beer, wine, and mixed drinks. Drinking alcohol can cause pancreatitis to come back.

●Avoid smoking – If you smoke, your doctor or nurse can help you quit.

●Eat small, low-fat meals – This might help you feel better.

●Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

What follow-up care do I need? — Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to make a follow-up appointment. If so, make sure that you know when and where to go.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for advice if you have:

●Signs of infection, such as a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills

●Very bad belly pain or back pain

●Very bad nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

●Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes

●Swelling of the stomach

●High blood sugar that doesn't come down with treatment

●Symptoms that are not getting better in 2 to 3 days or are getting worse

More on this topic

Patient education: Acute pancreatitis (The Basics)
Patient education: Gallstones (The Basics)
Patient education: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (The Basics)
Patient education: Alcohol use — when is drinking a problem? (The Basics)

Patient education: Acute pancreatitis (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Chronic pancreatitis (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) (Beyond the Basics)