Pancreatitis Symptoms | Acute and Chronic Pancreas
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that causes severe upper abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Learn about the key symptoms and when to seek urgent medical attention.
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Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that causes severe upper abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Learn about the key symptoms and when to seek urgent medical attention.
What Is Pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, a gland located behind the stomach that produces digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, its own digestive enzymes are prematurely activated and begin to damage the pancreatic tissue. Pancreatitis can occur in two forms: acute pancreatitis, which develops suddenly and typically resolves with treatment, and chronic pancreatitis, which progresses gradually and may cause permanent damage to the pancreas.
Symptoms of Acute Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis usually begins suddenly and can be extremely painful. The most common symptoms include:
- Severe upper abdominal pain: The pain is typically located in the upper abdomen and often radiates through to the back in a band-like pattern. It may be constant or come in waves and is frequently made worse by eating or drinking.
- Nausea and vomiting: Most people with acute pancreatitis experience nausea, often accompanied by vomiting that does not relieve the pain.
- Bloating and loss of appetite: The abdomen may appear swollen, and the person often has no desire to eat.
- Fever: A mild to moderate fever can develop as the body responds to the inflammation.
- Rapid heart rate (tachycardia): The pulse may increase as a reaction to pain and systemic inflammation.
- Tenderness of the abdomen: The upper abdomen is often very sensitive to touch and may feel rigid.
Symptoms of Chronic Pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis develops over time and causes lasting damage to the pancreas. Its symptoms are often less dramatic but significantly affect quality of life:
- Recurring upper abdominal pain: Pain episodes can occur repeatedly, often triggered by fatty meals or alcohol consumption.
- Fatty stools (steatorrhea): A lack of digestive enzymes means fat cannot be properly absorbed, leading to pale, greasy, and foul-smelling stools.
- Unintentional weight loss: Impaired nutrient absorption can cause progressive weight loss despite normal food intake.
- Diabetes mellitus: Long-term damage to the insulin-producing cells can lead to type 3c diabetes.
- Nausea and digestive discomfort: Bloating, diarrhea, and a feeling of fullness after meals are common complaints.
Common Causes of Pancreatitis
The most frequent causes and risk factors for pancreatitis include:
- Gallstones: In approximately 40% of cases, gallstones blocking the pancreatic duct trigger acute inflammation.
- Alcohol use: Excessive or chronic alcohol consumption is one of the leading causes, especially in chronic pancreatitis.
- Certain medications: Some drugs can cause pancreatitis as a side effect.
- Metabolic disorders: High blood triglyceride levels (hypertriglyceridemia) or elevated blood calcium levels can damage the pancreas.
- Infections: Viral infections such as mumps can also trigger inflammation of the pancreas.
- Idiopathic: In some cases, no clear underlying cause can be identified.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Pancreatitis can become life-threatening in severe cases. The following warning signs require immediate emergency care:
- Sudden, very severe abdominal pain that does not subside
- High fever above 38.5 °C (101.3 °F)
- Persistent vomiting making it impossible to keep fluids down
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- An extremely hard or distended abdomen
- General weakness, dizziness, or loss of consciousness
If any of these symptoms occur, emergency medical services should be contacted immediately or the nearest emergency department visited without delay.
Diagnosis
Pancreatitis is diagnosed through a combination of physical examination, blood tests (looking for elevated levels of the enzymes lipase and amylase), and imaging techniques such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI. In chronic cases, stool tests may also be performed to assess digestive enzyme function.
References
- Tenner S, Baillie J, DeWitt J, Vege SS. American College of Gastroenterology Guideline: Management of Acute Pancreatitis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013;108(9):1400-1415. doi:10.1038/ajg.2013.218
- Löhr JM et al. United European Gastroenterology evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and therapy of chronic pancreatitis. United European Gastroenterol J. 2017;5(2):153-199.
- Forsmark CE, Vege SS, Wilcox CM. Acute Pancreatitis. N Engl J Med. 2016;375(20):1972-1981. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1505202
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Related search terms: Pancreatitis Symptoms + Pancreas Inflammation Symptoms + Acute Pancreatitis Symptoms + Chronic Pancreatitis Symptoms