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What distinguishes acute pancreatitis?

Acute pancreatitis begins suddenly and may resolve.

What makes pancreatitis chronic?

It is persistent or recurrent inflammation that can cause permanent structural damage and loss of digestive and endocrine function.

What are common causes of acute pancreatitis?

Gallstones and alcohol are common causes. Other causes include very high triglycerides, medications, and biliary or metabolic problems.

What criteria generally establish acute pancreatitis?

Diagnosis generally requires two of three: characteristic pain, lipase or amylase at least three times the upper limit of normal, or characteristic imaging findings.

Which pancreatic enzyme is generally preferred for diagnosis?

Lipase is generally preferred over amylase for diagnosing acute pancreatitis.

When is CT generally used in acute pancreatitis?

Early CT is not routinely needed to grade severity. It is generally reserved for diagnostic uncertainty or failure to improve after 48–72 hours.

What are key supportive treatments for acute pancreatitis?

Provide prescribed analgesia and moderately aggressive IV crystalloid hydration, reassessing the response and monitoring for fluid overload.

When should a patient with mild acute pancreatitis resume oral food?

Start oral food as soon as it is tolerated; feeding does not need to wait for pancreatic enzymes to normalize.

How is nutrition supported when severe pancreatitis prevents oral intake?

Use enteral tube feeding when oral intake is not possible. Parenteral nutrition is generally reserved for when enteral feeding is not possible, tolerated, or sufficient.

When are antibiotics used in acute pancreatitis?

They are not given prophylactically for sterile inflammation or necrosis; use them when infection is present or suspected.

When is urgent ERCP indicated in biliary pancreatitis?

Urgent ERCP is indicated when biliary pancreatitis is complicated by cholangitis.

What symptoms can signal exocrine dysfunction in chronic pancreatitis?

Loss of exocrine function can cause maldigestion, weight loss, and greasy stools (steatorrhea).