Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is sudden inflammation of the pancreas, an organ that produces digestive enzymes and hormones including insulin. It ranges from mild, self-limiting illness to a severe, life-threatening condition requiring intensive hospital care.

• Severe, constant abdominal pain, typically in the upper abdomen, which may radiate to the back
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Abdominal tenderness and bloating
• In severe cases, signs of shock, breathing difficulty, or confusion can develop as complications progress

• The two most common causes are gallstones (which can block the pancreatic duct) and heavy alcohol use.
• Less common causes include certain medicines, very high blood triglyceride levels, and, rarely, other conditions or procedures affecting the pancreas.
• In some cases, no specific cause is identified despite thorough evaluation.

• Diagnosed based on the characteristic severe abdominal pain together with blood tests showing markedly elevated pancreatic enzymes (amylase or lipase).
• Abdominal imaging, such as ultrasound or CT scan where available, helps identify the cause (such as gallstones) and assess severity or complications.
• Severity assessment, using clinical and laboratory findings, guides the level of care needed, as some cases progress rapidly to severe disease.

Initial treatment for acute pancreatitis includes intravenous fluids, pain relief, and temporarily stopping oral intake to rest the pancreas, with gradual reintroduction of food as symptoms improve.

Any identified underlying cause is addressed — for example, gallstones causing pancreatitis are often treated with removal of the gallbladder once the acute episode has settled, and alcohol-related pancreatitis requires support for alcohol cessation.

Severe pancreatitis, with signs of organ dysfunction or significant complications, requires intensive hospital-level care, including close monitoring and management of complications such as infection or fluid collections around the pancreas.

Most mild cases improve within a few days with supportive care, while severe cases can require a prolonged hospital stay.

• Limit alcohol intake, as heavy alcohol use is a major preventable cause.
• Seek prompt treatment for gallstones, which can help prevent gallstone-related pancreatitis.
• Maintain a healthy diet to help manage blood triglyceride levels if these are elevated.
• Seek immediate medical care for severe abdominal pain, particularly with vomiting or fever.