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Pancreatitis and Crohn's Symptoms

Pancreatitis and Crohn's disease are similar in that they occur within the digestive system. Pancreatitis specifically targets the pancreas, and Crohn's broadly targets the entire system. Although they have similar symptoms, such as diarrhea, the causes of these diseases differ in that one is an enzyme malfunction and the other is an immune system malfunction.

  1. Identification - Pancreatitis

    • Pancreatitis is a painful inflammation of the pancreas. It is caused when the digestive enzymes secreted by the pancreas activate while still in the pancreas rather than remain inactive until they reach the digestive tract. This causes irritation and inflammation.

    Identification -- Crohn's Disease

    • Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn's can hit anywhere between the mouth and colon, including the pancreas. It is caused by the immune system, which mistakenly attacks the good, digestive bacteria and enzymes within the body, causing inflammation.

    Pancreatitis Symptoms - Acute

    • Symptoms of acute pancreatitis include severe, upper abdominal pain that radiates into your back and/or chest, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bruising and high fever.

    Pancreatitis Symptoms - Chronic

    • Symptoms of acute pancreatitis include occasional, mild abdominal pain---either sharp pains lasting for several hours or dull aches that last for several weeks. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, bloating, gas, weight loss, oily and odorous stools.

    Crohn's Disease Symptoms

    • The symptoms of Crohn's disease depend on the location of the inflammation. They can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, tears in the digestive tract, puss-filled bumps (abscesses), intestinal obstruction and bloody diarrhea.

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