Pancreatitis
Symptoms of acute pancreatitis
Source: NHS
In this topic (7)
The main symptom of acute pancreatitis is a severe, dull pain around the top of your stomachthat develops suddenly.
This aching pain often gets steadily worse and can travel along your back or below your left shoulder blade. Eating or drinkingmay also make you feel worse very quickly, especially fatty foods.
Leaning forward or curling into a ball may help to relieve the pain, but lying flat on your back often increases the pain.
Acute pancreatitis caused by gallstonesusually develops after eating a large meal. If the condition is caused by alcohol, the pain often develops 6-12 hours after drinking a significant amount of alcohol.
Other symptoms
Other symptoms of acute pancreatitis can include:
- nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting
- diarrhoea
- indigestion
- a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
- jaundice yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes
- tenderness or swelling of the abdomen (tummy)
When to seek medical advice
Contact your GP immediately if you suddenly develop severe abdominal pain. If this isn't possible,contactNHS 111 or your localout-of-hours service for advice.
Articles for Pancreatitis
Causes of acute pancreatitis
Most cases of acute pancreatitis are closely linked to gallstones and alcohol consumption, although the exact cause is not always clear.
Complications of acute pancreatitis
Although most people with acute pancreatitis recover without experiencing further problems, severe cases can have serious complications.
Diagnosing acute pancreatitis
Due to the risk of serious complications, most cases of acute pancreatitis are diagnosed in hospital.
Introduction
Acute pancreatitis is a serious condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed over a short period of time.
Preventing acute pancreatitis
As acute pancreatitis is often caused by gallstones or excessive alcohol consumption, a healthy lifestyle can reduce your chances of developing the condition.
Symptoms of acute pancreatitis
The main symptom of acute pancreatitis is a severe, dull pain around the top of your stomach that develops suddenly.
Treating acute pancreatitis
There's no specific treatment for acute pancreatitis, but for most people the condition gets better on its own within a week.
