Pancreatitis: When the Pancreas Self-Digests

Your body can literally digest itself and here's how it happens. When you have pancreatitis, your pancreatic

enzymes activate too early while still inside the organ. These powerful digestive

enzymes start breaking down your own pancreatic tissue in a process called autodigestion. The pain is so intense

it radiates from your stomach straight through to your back. The main culprits?

Gallstones blocking the pancreatic duct or chronic alcohol use. Your body essentially

turns its digestive weapons against itself. In severe cases, this self-destruction

triggers a massive inflammatory response that can affect your entire body. The scary part is

that once chronic pancreatitis sets in, the damage becomes permanent.