Final answer:
Treatment of chronic pancreatitis starts with lifestyle modifications, followed by pharmacological therapy, and if those are insufficient, endoscopic therapy or surgical intervention might be considered.
Step-by-step explanation:
The treatment of chronic pancreatitis-related persistent pain should indeed proceed in a stepwise approach beginning with lifestyle modifications. These modifications can include dietary changes, cessation of alcohol and tobacco use, and ensuring adequate nutritional intake. If these initial measures are not sufficient, the next steps may involve pharmacological therapy, which would typically start with enzyme supplements and pain relievers, and may eventually include other types of medication to manage the inflammation and pain associated with pancreatitis.
Should these measures fail to control the pain, more invasive options such as endoscopic therapy or surgical intervention may be considered. Endoscopic therapy includes procedures like ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) to remove bile duct obstructions or pancreatic duct stones. Surgery might be necessary in severe cases to remove the damaged portions of the pancreas or to relieve a blockage.