Causes Alcohol abuse (most common in adults) Genetic mutations (PRSS1, SPINK1, CFTR) Smoking Autoimmune pancreatitis Obstructive causes (strictures, tumors) Idiopathic (unknown) Symptoms Persistent/recurrent upper abdominal pain (radiates to back) Indigestion, bloating, diarrhea Steatorrhea (oily, foul-smelling stools) Unexplained weight loss Diabetes in later stages Diagnosis CT, MRI, MRCP: Show scarring, duct dilation, calcifications Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS): Detects early fibrosis Stool elastase test: Measures enzyme deficiency Blood sugar tests: Screen for diabetes Treatment There is no cure, but management includes: No alcohol, no smoking Pancreatic enzyme supplements (PERT) Pain management (medications, nerve blocks, surgery) Nutritional support (high-protein, low-fat diet, vitamins) Diabetes management (insulin or oral agents) Complications Severe malnutrition Osteoporosis Chronic pain and opioid dependence Pancreatic cancer risk Takeaway Chronic pancreatitis is lifelong, but with the right care, many patients live well
And yet, in 2024, over 1.6 million middle and high school students reported recent e-cigarette use, with alarming signs of dependence, including increased daily use
Theres nothing worse than walking into a clean bathroom, only to get hit with a nasty sewage smell
For example, the child may experience more colds and other lung problems, and may be more likely to smoke when they get older
The University of Alabama published an undated page sample of an airlines smoking policy
This increase was partially a result of higher production costs and inflation, but also due to factors such as the federal cigarette tax, which now stands at $1.01 per pack, up from just $0.39 as recently as 2008
