Overview
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, the gland behind the stomach that makes digestive juices and insulin. It can come on suddenly with severe upper-belly pain (acute) or grumble on for years, slowly damaging the gland (chronic). The two main causes are gallstones and heavy alcohol use. Sudden severe pancreatitis is a medical emergency needing hospital care, so intense upper-belly pain that bores through to the back, with vomiting, should never be ignored.
Symptoms
- Severe upper-belly pain, often spreading to the back
- Pain that worsens after eating, especially fatty food
- Nausea and vomiting
- A tender, bloated belly
- Weight loss and greasy stools in long-standing disease
When to see a doctor
See a doctor urgently for severe upper-belly pain boring through to the back with vomiting — acute pancreatitis needs hospital care.
Emergency — call 108 or go to the nearest hospital
- Severe constant belly pain with repeated vomiting, fever, a racing heart, or breathlessness — go to a hospital immediately
Causes
Most often gallstones or heavy alcohol use; also very high blood fats, some medicines, and certain infections.