Health
Fact-checked

At TheHealthBoard, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What Causes a Fatty Pancreas?

Erin J. Hill
Erin J. Hill

There are several causes of a fatty pancreas, including obesity, alcohol use, and disease. Eating foods high in fat can lead to fatty infiltration around the pancreas and other organs in the body. This can also be caused by substances like alcohol which cause the pancreas to metabolize fats less efficiently, resulting in buildup.

Symptoms of a fatty pancreas may be vague at first, but can include nausea, vomiting, smelly stools, diarrhea, loss of appetite, back or abdominal pain, and spots on the pancreas during an ultrasound or another exam. These symptoms mimic those of other disorders. In most cases, this condition occurs as part of aging and does not cause serious problems. When it becomes severe, however, it may cause inflammation and cause the pancreas to work less efficiently.

Eating fatty foods like french fries can lead to a fatty pancreas.
Eating fatty foods like french fries can lead to a fatty pancreas.

Eating a diet high in fats and processed foods is one risk factor for fatty pancreas. Studies have shown that those who are overweight or obese have a much higher likelihood of suffering from pancreas issues than those who are at a healthy weight. Many times, losing weight and cutting out unhealthy foods from the diet is all that is needed to remove fatty infiltration from the organ.

Consuming alcohol and processed foods can cause a fatty pancreas.
Consuming alcohol and processed foods can cause a fatty pancreas.

People who drink excessive amounts of alcohol are also at an increased risk for fatty pancreas. Alcohol consumption changes the way the body metabolizes food and may cause inflammation of the pancreas over time. Sometimes abstaining from alcohol will take care of the problem, but this depends on the amount of damage already done. Irreversible damage may have already been inflicted.

Certain diseases may cause a fatty pancreas, including hepatitis C.
Certain diseases may cause a fatty pancreas, including hepatitis C.

Certain diseases may also contribute to fat around the pancreas, including hepatitis C. Treatment may vary based on the condition, or medications may be used to supplement pancreas function. This may include digestive aids to help break down food and injections of insulin, which is secreted by the pancreas.

Those with any symptoms of a pancreatic disorder should seek medical help right away. Although the symptoms may be indicative of any number of minor illnesses, sometimes a serious condition is the cause. Fatty pancreas shares some symptoms with liver problems and pancreatic cancer. Cancer of the pancreas is usually aggressive and needs to be caught early for optimum treatment options.

Fatty Pancreas Symptoms

The pancreas is a pear shaped organ that is found deep in the abdomen.
The pancreas is a pear shaped organ that is found deep in the abdomen.

A fatty pancreas is also known as pancreatitis. People who have pancreatitis may experience a wide variety of symptoms. Acute fatty pancreas symptoms include upper abdominal pain that radiates into the back. Your abdomen may also feel tender to the touch. Other symptoms of acute pancreatitis include fever, nausea, vomiting, or a rapid pulse.

Some people experience chronic pancreatitis. Someone who deals with chronic fatty pancreas symptoms may have ongoing upper abdominal pain that feels worse after eating. They may also lose weight without trying or have oily stools with a strong odor. People who are experiencing any symptoms of acute or ongoing pancreatitis should schedule an appointment with their doctor.

Fatty Pancreas Treatment

The pancreas gland aids in digestion and produces insulin.
The pancreas gland aids in digestion and produces insulin.

Pancreatitis can be quite painful and often ends up with a visit to the emergency department. At the hospital, the doctors will begin several initial courses of treatment. The first is to allow you to eat bland food and liquid as soon as you feel able, as it helps to heal the pancreas. If the pain is too severe, your doctor will also likely provide you with prescription pain medications. IV fluids are also common as they can combat dehydration.

Avoiding fast food can help decrease the fat content of the pancreas.
Avoiding fast food can help decrease the fat content of the pancreas.

After the initial treatment is provided, your health care team will determine how to treat the underlying cause of your fatty pancreas. One common treatment is to undergo a procedure to remove obstructions in the bile duct. This is done via an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Other possible solutions include other endoscopic procedures, gallbladder surgery, medication changes, or treatment for dependence on alcohol.

Does Fatty Pancreas Mean Cancer?

Treatment for a fatty pancreas may include injections of insulin.
Treatment for a fatty pancreas may include injections of insulin.

A fatty pancreas does not automatically mean that you will develop pancreatic cancer, but it does mean that you are at a higher risk for doing so. Pancreatic cancer does not show any early symptoms for the most part, which means that most of the time, by the time the doctor finds it, it is already large or has spread to other parts of the body. There are some symptoms to watch out for, though.

Greasy food choices can contribute to a fatty pancreas.
Greasy food choices can contribute to a fatty pancreas.

Jaundice is perhaps the most common symptom of a fatty pancreas and the possibility of pancreatic cancer. If you notice that your skin or eyes look yellow, it may indicate a problem with your pancreas. Other symptoms include pain in the belly or back, dark urine, greasy stools, or itchy skin that does not go away after treatment of pancreatitis. As pancreatic cancer advances, patients may lose weight, be nauseated, or have enlargement of the liver or gallbladder. On rare occasions, pancreatic cancer can cause blood clots or diabetes.

Are There Ways To Prevent Fatty Pancreas?

One of the best things you can do to prevent fatty pancreas is to limit your alcohol consumption. It is also important to eat a low-fat diet. Fatty diets may lead to gallstones, which is one of the leading causes of acute pancreatitis. Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly are also important for maintaining overall health and preventing pancreatic problems. Finally, avoid falling victim to crash diets. Weight should be lost gradually. Crash diets often lead your weight to go up and down rapidly, which can actually cause your liver to create more cholesterol and cause problems for your pancreas.

Discussion Comments

anon1001900

Fatty pancreas is caused by insulin resistance which is caused by too many carbs and sugar. It is not caused by eating fat.

anon1001749

My husband suffers from fatty pancreas, but no one seems to have a answer to treat it. We have been to two doctors, but still no answers. He needs help. He's suffering from this.

anon999125

How do I rid myself of fat on the pancreas?

anon995796

I had a CT scan done with contrast looking at something in my belly, and the results came back with nothing to worry about. The radiologist wants to have me do an MRI since he saw what he thinks is fatty tissue on the pancreas and wants to check it out further. What are they looking for and what does that mean?

anon994858

It is not fat that is the problem. Carbs, especially sugar and bread and those starches we eat every day, are the culprits. Learn how eating too many carbs leads to insulin overproduction, which leads to retaining fat. Please stop spreading misinformation.

anon990778

I am 70 years old and I have recently diagnosed with fatty pancreas and yet I don't drink or smoke. I've never had fast food, a coke, beef or pork in my life. I have celiac disease so I don't eat any thing I haven't prepared myself. I am a chef and dietician.

I had two gestation pregnancies, yet my sugar levels have always been good. Due to a violent attack on my person two years ago I had a series of heart attacks, and this has resulted in massive amounts of medication. I went from a size 14 to 18 in 4 weeks. I am now fitted with a pacemaker and still overweight. My stomach swelled to 10 times its size and cannot take more than 15 paces without pain in my diaphragm like a spastic cramp and I am unable to breath. My question is could this be a result of medical drugs as I have serious side effects from them. I also have PTSD. Is there a connection? Pauline

bgpJFH

My ultrasound just came back with "more fatty pancreas than normal; probably due to diabetes." I am not diabetic, but run low blood sugars (old normal was 50-70, new 80-90 after years of Precose then Glyset used to slow absorption of carbohydrates in gut to prevent blood sugar spikes).

My complaint that prompted the ultrasound was a pressure just inside my lower right rib margin that feels like I am 7 1/2 months pregnant with child pushing foot into the underside of my right rib cage margin. This pressure has been present since May 2013, getting exacerbated mostly with bending/leaning over sink when brushing teeth or washing face as apposed to bending to weed gardens. Meals or different types of foods do not alter this pressure.

I have had an abd CT, MRI, endoscopy, colonoscopy, and now the ultrasound. All other tests came back with normal, with healthy results. The pressure has continued for four months now. I am 56 years old and had a hysterectomy at age 39-ish, 5' 4 1/2", 137 pounds. My gall bladder was removed at age 37, appendix at 16. My blood pressure is normal, activity normal. The only other health conditions I have are treated hypothyroid, allergies, and keratoconus for 1 1/2 years; CXL in January.

anon333881

I have a very severe fatty pancreas. The CT showed nobody at Vanderbilt had ever seen anything like it. They ran all the other tests for diseases and came back with obesity. I had the lap band eroded into my stomach and had it removed. Other than obesity and not eating right, do you think my lap band erosion had anything to do with it? Please help. I take the digestive enzyme creon to digest my food. Will this make my pancreas finally give out? You have to replace it if it does. Other than just a low fat diet, what else should I eat?

anon327573

I do have a severe fatty pancreas and also a family history of pancreatic cancer. My brother has Adenocarcinoma and is terminal. I was told this could be hereditary and Metabolic Syndrome. Due to the family history, I have to be tested again next year for cancer. The doctor found the fatty pancreas from an EUS. He said it was the worse he had seen! So I am trying harder to eat healthy, which I have, along with losing more weight. I have excellent lipids. So does anyone else know more about this because even the Genetic Study in Dallas never heard of this?

anon221879

I was suffering from abdominal pain, and we suspected gall bladder stones. But my USG showed fatty infiltration of pancreas and a mild focal caliectasis of left kidney. we usually ignore the pancreas but through this site I learned how important it is for the healthy functioning of our body.

discographer

@anamur-- CT stands for computed tomography. I'm not an expert but I believe it is used to measure fat.

The ultrasound is probably used to identify fattening first and then a CT to confirm it and measure it.

My sister had a CT done, not for pancreas but for her abdomen. It's a pretty common test.

serenesurface

I heard that "CT" is the best test for checking the pancreas for fatty infiltration. What is "CT"? Why is an ultrasound not good enough?

bear78

Can a fatty pancreas also result in diabetes and digestive problems?

I am wondering because a friend of mine has been diagnosed with it. She is also a diabetic, is a bit overweight (not obese) and she has gastritis as well.

From what I've read, pancreas helps with digestion and, this article mentions it too, it releases insulin. So, if it becomes fatty, there will be pancreas problems, like not releasing enough insulin and digestive juices right?

anon175428

This is the first site that i found that actually talked about fatty pancreas not fatty liver. I did find the information helpful. Thank you.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Eating fatty foods like french fries can lead to a fatty pancreas.
      By: Africa Studio
      Eating fatty foods like french fries can lead to a fatty pancreas.
    • Consuming alcohol and processed foods can cause a fatty pancreas.
      By: Joshua Resnick
      Consuming alcohol and processed foods can cause a fatty pancreas.
    • Certain diseases may cause a fatty pancreas, including hepatitis C.
      By: CLIPAREA.com
      Certain diseases may cause a fatty pancreas, including hepatitis C.
    • The pancreas is a pear shaped organ that is found deep in the abdomen.
      By: snapgalleria
      The pancreas is a pear shaped organ that is found deep in the abdomen.
    • The pancreas gland aids in digestion and produces insulin.
      By: pixdesign123
      The pancreas gland aids in digestion and produces insulin.
    • Avoiding fast food can help decrease the fat content of the pancreas.
      By: freshidea
      Avoiding fast food can help decrease the fat content of the pancreas.
    • Treatment for a fatty pancreas may include injections of insulin.
      By: Ljupco Smokovski
      Treatment for a fatty pancreas may include injections of insulin.
    • Greasy food choices can contribute to a fatty pancreas.
      By: stocksolutions
      Greasy food choices can contribute to a fatty pancreas.