Stages of pancreatitis

Pancreatitis does not have formal numbered stages, but doctors follow a pattern and use severity grading.

Course of acute pancreatitis

1. Early phase (first 1 to 2 weeks): inflammation and risk of the body's reaction affecting other organs. Pain, vomiting and dehydration are common, and treatment aims at fluids, pain relief and monitoring.
2. Late phase (after 2 weeks, if severe): local problems such as fluid collections, pseudocysts, dead tissue or infection
3. Recovery: pain settles, eating restarts, and the cause is treated

Severity grading

• Mild: no organ failure or local complications
• Moderately severe: short-lived organ failure or local complications
• Severe: persistent organ failure, which needs intensive care

Stages of chronic pancreatitis

• Early: repeated attacks of pain with few scan changes
• Established: scarring, calcium deposits and duct changes, pain and weight loss
• pain may lessen, but there is enzyme shortage (greasy stools, weight loss) and diabetes