Acute pancreatitis is inflammation in the pancreas that comes on suddenly and results in severe abdominal pain. Symptoms include a swollen, tender abdomen accompanied by nausea, fever and vomiting.  If injury to the pancreas continues, chronic pancreatitis may result.

Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment


Symptoms
You may feel pain in your upper abdomen. Usually, it will not go away and you will need to see a physician. If the pain becomes too severe, you may need to go to an emergency room for care. You might have this pain 12 to 24 hours after a large meal or after you drink a alcohol. The pain may:

• Start in your abdomen, but may spread
• Is usually a steady pain
• It may get worse when you move
• May make you nauseated and cause vomiting

Diagnosing acute pancreatitis
We will ask about your medical history. You may also have the following tests:

• Blood and urine tests

• X-rays of your abdomen and chest

• Ultrasound exam of the pancreas and gallbladder

• ERCP using both x-rays and a flexible, lighted tube called an endoscope to see inside the pancreas, liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. A sample of tissue may be removed for tests.  You will receive light sedation for this test.

• CT scan of the pancreas.

Treating acute pancreatitis

• You may need to be in the hospital.

• You may not be able to eat or drink anything until the pain in your abdomen stops.

• You may get fluids through your vein (IV).

• A tube may be put through your nose down into your stomach. This will take away stomach fluids and help prevent nausea and vomiting.

• You may have to stop taking some medicines you have been taking.

• You will get medicine for your pain; you may have other medicines as well.

If you have gallstones, you may need surgery to remove them. This may help prevent another attack.