Secondary Diabetes
The longer pancreatitis is left untreated, the greater the chances of severe symptoms that an eventually become serious complications. For example, in much the same way that the production of digestive enzymes is complicated due to pancreatitis, the insulin production of the pancreas will also be interrupted. In chronic pancreatitis, this can be so extreme it actually causes diabetes if treatment isn't prioritized. Furthermore, the removal of the pancreas as a treatment for pancreatitis means the body cannot produce insulin at all anymore.
Diabetes caused by pancreatitis is a form of type 1 diabetes and is sometimes referred to as "secondary" diabetes, since an underlying medical condition is causing it. This is in contrast to type 2 diabetes, which is largely caused by dietary issues.
Treatment requires the artificial replacement of the insulin, generally through an injection, and careful monitoring of blood sugar levels. In most cases, secondary diabetes will require lifelong treatment. However, the hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) that occurs as a result of the diabetes may be managed sufficiently to undo the harm it causes.
Pancreatic diabetes often comes with different clinical characteristics than other forms of diabetes. In many cases, diabetes will not be obvious—and may even be asymptomatic—until a negative reaction to hyperglycemia occurs.
Ironically, the reverse to pancreatitis-induced diabetes is also possible: some medications used to treat diabetes mellitus have been linked to inciting pancreatitis.
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