The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach that produces chemicals needed to digest food. It also produces the hormones insulin and glucagon. When inflammation and scarring of the pancreas occur, the organ is no longer able to make the right amount of these enzymes. As a result, your body may be unable to digest fat and key elements of food. Damage to the parts of the pancreas that make insulin may lead to diabetes. The condition is most often caused by alcohol abuse over many years. Repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis can lead to chronic pancreatitis. Genetics may be a factor in some cases.

According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, there are some patterns of syndrome that lead to pancreatitis.
1. Pattern of Excessive Heat in intestines and stomach
2. pattern of Liver and Gallbladder Damp-heat
3. Pattern of Spleen Deficiency
4. Pattern of Blood Stasis

Our TCM clinical practice has showed that integration of Chinese medicine and western medicine is a very good choice for this disease. When treating superficial gastritis, Chinese doctors will take everything into consideration, including the following conditons.
1. High levels of a fat, called triglycerides, in the blood
2. Hyperparathyroidism
3. Use of certain medications
4. Autoimmune problems
5. Blockage of the pancreatic duct or the common bile duct
6. Complications of cystic fibrosis