Overview
Pancreatitis means inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas sits behind the stomach and helps break down food and regulate blood sugar. Acute pancreatitis starts suddenly and may improve with treatment, while chronic pancreatitis is ongoing inflammation that can gradually damage the organ.
Key Symptoms
A common symptom is pain in the upper abdomen that may spread to the back. The pain may be severe and can come with nausea, vomiting, fever, or a swollen and tender belly. Some people also notice fast heartbeat, weakness, or trouble eating.
Causes and Risk Factors
Two common causes are gallstones and heavy alcohol use. Other causes can include very high triglyceride levels, certain medicines, infections, injury, smoking, and problems with the structure of the pancreas or bile ducts. In some people, no clear cause is found.
Who Is Affected
Pancreatitis can affect adults of any age and sometimes children. Risk depends on the cause, such as gallstones, alcohol use, smoking, high blood fat levels, or certain inherited conditions. People with repeated attacks are at higher risk of chronic pancreatitis.
Prevention
Not all cases can be prevented, but some risks can be lowered. Managing gallstone disease, avoiding heavy alcohol use, not smoking, and treating high triglycerides may help reduce risk. Regular follow-up is important for people who have had pancreatitis before.
Diagnosis and Tests
A healthcare professional may ask about symptoms, alcohol use, medicines, and past gallbladder problems. Blood tests can look for pancreatic enzymes and signs of inflammation. Imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI may be used to look for swelling, gallstones, or complications.
Treatment Categories
Treatment depends on the cause and how severe the illness is. Hospital care may include fluids, pain control, monitoring, and support with eating and drinking while the pancreas recovers. Some people need treatment for gallstones, procedures to drain fluid collections, or longer-term care for chronic pancreatitis and digestion problems.
Diet and Lifestyle
After medical assessment, a care team may advise changes based on the cause and the person's nutrition needs. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is important, especially after an attack. Some people with chronic pancreatitis may need support for weight loss, poor digestion, or blood sugar problems.
When to Seek Medical Care
Seek medical care promptly for severe or ongoing upper abdominal pain, especially if it comes with vomiting, fever, or pain that spreads to the back. Also get medical advice if you have repeated attacks of abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, oily stools, or signs of high blood sugar. Early assessment can help find the cause and reduce complications.
When It May Be an Emergency
Get emergency help right away for sudden severe abdominal pain, fainting, confusion, trouble breathing, chest pain, blue lips, or inability to keep fluids down. Emergency care is also needed if there are signs of shock such as cold clammy skin, severe weakness, or collapse. Pancreatitis can sometimes become life-threatening.