Dear doctor;

I have diabetes but some friends keep saying I now suffer from pancreatitis. Is there a difference between the two? Does diabetes cause pancreatitis? 

Sarah, 40.

Dear Sarah,

Diabetes does not cause pancreatitis, but reverse can be true. Inflammation of the pancreas can lead to diabetes because  pancreas is the organ responsible for producing insulin in the body. Any derangement in its function impairs glucose metabolism as well.

Most common cause for pancreatitis in an adult is alcohol abuse. It can also occur due to viral infections such as mumps, Coxsackie

virus, etc. In some cases, antibodies are formed against pancreas damaging it. Genetic factors are also responsible to some extent. High triglyceride levels in the blood, blockade of the bile duct can result in inflammation of the pancreas. If one has pancreatitis, there would be severe pain in the upper middle part of abdomen or right side, which is relieved by bending forwards. It may radiate to back. High serum amylase levels confirm the diagnosis.