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Hereditary Pancreatitis

Hereditary Pancreatitis, a genetic disorder causing recurrent pancreatic inflammation, demands specialized care. At GastroDoxs in Houston, Dr. Bharat Pothuri offers expert diagnosis and personalized treatment plans, including genetic testing, imaging, lifestyle strategies and advanced interventions, for lasting relief and wellness.

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Texas Medical Board
Harris County Medical Society
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Houston Methodist leading Medicine
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Bharat Pothuri

About the Expert

Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a board-certified gastroenterologist and the founder of GastroDoxs. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.

What Is Hereditary Pancreatitis?

Hereditary pancreatitis is a genetic condition marked by recurrent inflammation of the pancreas, often starting in childhood or early adulthood due to inherited mutations (for example, PRSS1).

Common Causes and Risk Factors

  • Inherited gene mutations (PRSS1, SPINK1, CFTR, CTRC)
  • Family history of pancreatic disease
  • Smoking, which worsens flare-ups
  • Alcohol use, which can trigger attacks
  • Certain medications or infections acting as triggers

Signs and Symptoms

  • Intense upper abdominal pain
  • Pain that radiates to the back
  • Nausea and vomiting during attacks
  • Loss of appetite
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Oily, foul-smelling stools (steatorrhea)
  • Onset of diabetes in advanced stages

Expert Treatment for Hereditary Pancreatitis by Dr. Bharat Pothuri

Dr. Pothuri uses a step-by-step approach:

Medical History and Exam

He reviews your family history of pancreatitis, the pattern of your upper-abdominal (epigastric) pain, alcohol use, smoking, and other risk factors.

Blood Tests

  • Serum amylase and lipase levels to confirm pancreatic inflammation
  • Liver function tests to exclude gallbladder or biliary disease
  • Blood glucose to assess endocrine function

Imaging Studies

  • Abdominal ultrasound to look for ductal dilatation, stones or calcifications
  • Contrast-enhanced CT scan to evaluate pancreatic inflammation, pseudocysts, or fibrosis
  • MRCP (magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography) to visualize the pancreatic and bile ducts in detail

Genetic Testing

Targeted panels (PRSS1, SPINK1, CFTR, CTRC) to identify hereditary mutations that predispose to recurrent pancreatitis.

Functional Assessment (if needed)

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) or secretin stimulation tests to measure exocrine function and detect subtle ductal changes.

Dr. Bharat Pothuri
Treatment

Our Team offers a full range of care for hereditary pancreatitis.

1. Diet and Lifestyle Changes

  • Eat small, low-fat meals often
  • Avoid alcohol and smoking
  • Drink water throughout the day
  • Take enzyme pills if your pancreas can't keep up

2. Medications

  • Pain medicine for relief
  • Enzyme pills to help digest food
  • Vitamins to replace what your body loses
  • Insulin or other medicines if you develop diabetes

3. Minimally Invasive or Advanced Procedures

  • EUS to check for fluid or stones
  • ERCP to fix blocked ducts
  • Minimally invasive surgery for tough cases
1K

Patients Treated

Dr. Pothuri has treated more than 1K patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.

20Y

Years of Experience

With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients

Bharat Pothuri

About the Author

Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is hereditary pancreatitis?

Hereditary pancreatitis is a genetic form of chronic pancreatitis caused by mutations (e.g., PRSS1) leading to recurrent pancreatic inflammation.

What symptoms occur?

Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, malabsorption, and weight loss. Attacks often begin in childhood.

How is it diagnosed?

Diagnosis combines family history, genetic testing, imaging studies (MRI/MRCP), and pancreatic function tests.

Can hereditary pancreatitis be treated?

Treatment focuses on pain control, pancreatic enzyme replacement, dietary adjustments, and endoscopic or surgical drainage if needed.

Is there a cure?

No cure exists. Management aims to reduce attacks, preserve function, and monitor for complications like diabetes or cancer.

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