Can pancreatitis cause diarrhea as a symptom?
Disease description:
I've had diarrhea for many days, and every time I feel stomach pain, I need to rush to the bathroom. After going to the hospital for a checkup, I was diagnosed with pancreatitis. May I ask whether diarrhea can be a symptom of pancreatitis?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhou Chao
Acute pancreatitis is primarily characterized by abdominal pain during the onset of the disease, and some patients may also experience diarrhea. In the recovery phase of chronic pancreatitis, diarrhea of varying degrees often occurs, mainly due to malabsorption and digestive dysfunction caused by impaired pancreatic function. Therefore, paying attention to diet during recovery is very important; improper eating can worsen the condition and lead to severe complications such as diarrhea. The principle is to eat small amounts frequently. Generally, patients should start with rice soup and lotus root starch. If these are tolerated well, they can gradually progress to congee and oil-free vegetables.
