Symptoms
The hallmark symptom of chronic pancreatitis is persistent or recurring abdominal pain, which is often located in the upper abdomen and may radiate to the back. Other symptoms include:
- Weight loss: This is due to the malabsorption of nutrients caused by a lack of digestive enzymes.
- Steatorrhea: Fatty, foul-smelling stools that are a result of fat malabsorption.
- Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes, which can occur if the bile duct becomes obstructed.
- Diabetes: As the disease progresses, damage to insulin-producing cells can lead to diabetes.