DEAR DR. DONOHUE: In 1999, I was rushed to the hospital for pancreatitis. I stayed there for more than six weeks. I had to have surgery on my pancreas. The operation was the Whipple procedure. I suspect alcohol was my downfall. Who invented the Whipple procedure? Is it commonly done? Will it cause me to be a diabetic? How do you determine if you are going to get diabetes?

I also contracted hepatitis from a dirty needle in the 1970s. What can you tell me about it? – G.R.

ANSWER: The pancreas is located below the stomach. It has two functions: one is to make enzymes for food digestion; the other is to make insulin for blood-sugar control. Pancreatitis is inflammation of that organ. When inflamed, it releases digestive enzymes that begin to digest the pancreas itself. Excessive use of alcohol is a big cause of pancreatitis. So are gallstones. A gallstone can block the drainage duct shared by the gallbladder and the pancreas. Very high triglyceride levels inflame the pancreas. Viral infections are another cause of inflammation.

An attack of pancreatitis produces knifelike stomach pain that often penetrates to the back. People are nauseated and vomit. The heart races, and breathing becomes rapid and shallow. Blood pressure might drop.

Most recover from an acute attack of pancreatitis. Some, however, develop a chronic inflammation of the gland. If the pain of chronic inflammation cannot be controlled by medicine, then surgery is a possible solution. The Whipple procedure is an operation devised by the American surgeon Allen Whipple, who died in 1963. The first section of the pancreas and sometimes parts of the duodenum (the beginning of the small intestine) are removed. The operation can relieve pain for people with pancreatitis for whom medicines haven’t worked. Somewhere between 25 percent and 40 percent of patients who have the operation develop diabetes, and an equal percentage have to take digestive enzymes. The signs of diabetes are excessive urination, great thirst and weight loss in the face of an enormous appetite. Don’t wait for symptoms to learn if you have diabetes. Have your fasting blood sugar checked yearly.

What kind of hepatitis did you have – A, B or C? Write me again, and I’ll provide information on that kind.

The hepatitis booklet describes the three kinds of this illness, how they are caught and how they are treated. Readers can order a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue – No. 503, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My wife had a knee replacement a few months ago and is recovering nicely. I recently made an appointment to undergo the same operation. A few weeks ago, while visiting our son in another state, I was introduced to a young orthopedic surgeon, who noticed my limp. I told him I wanted to delay the operation. He mentioned Synvisc. I would like your opinion on this. – R.G.

ANSWER: Synvisc (and Euflexxa, Hyalgan, Orthovisc and Supartz) contains hyaluronate, a component of normal joint fluid that keeps the fluid viscid. The thick fluid cushions the joint. One of the consequences of aging is a thinning of joint fluid. Thick joint fluid, like thick oil, lubricates the joint and makes motion effortless and pain-free.

Why not give it a try? If it doesn’t work, you can always have the operation. The joint injection is usually repeated after six months.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 41-year-old woman who’s healthy except for my blood pressure, which is on the low side – 90/68. Is there anything I can do to bring my pressure up? – K.W.

ANSWER: Your question should be: Do I need to raise my pressure? If you have no symptoms, like dizziness or a faint feeling, the answer is no. People with blood pressure in your range live longer lives than the rest of us. Count yourself lucky.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com