Chronic pancreatitis is a chronic inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is continuously damaged thus making it unable to perform its functions that are involved with digestion. The absorption of the fat is reduced thus creating fatty feces (a condition known as steatorrhea). The reduced digestion of proteins might lead to malabsorption. The damaged pancreatic tissue might not be sufficient to produce enough insulin needed for blood glucose control. Therefore, diabetes might appear as a complication.

The inflammation is presented with constant upper abdominal or back pain. Nausea and vomiting might also be present in chronic pancreatitis. Taking alcohol would always aggravate the symptoms and, therefore, there is a zero tolerance for alcohol intake in chronic pancreatitis.