Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. It can begin suddenly and become serious quickly, or develop slowly and cause lasting damage. Recognising the warning signs early can make a major difference.
Sudden, severe pain in the upper abdomen—especially when it spreads to the back or comes with repeated vomiting, fever, jaundice, a fast heartbeat or breathing difficulty—needs urgent medical assessment.
The pancreas lies behind the stomach. It produces enzymes that help digest food and hormones, including insulin, that help control blood sugar.
In pancreatitis, digestive enzymes injure the pancreas and trigger inflammation. This causes pain and swelling and, in severe cases, can affect other organs.
Acute pancreatitis starts suddenly. Many people recover with prompt hospital treatment, but severe attacks can cause infection, fluid collections, tissue damage or organ failure.
Chronic pancreatitis is long-term inflammation that scars the pancreas. Over time, it can interfere with digestion and insulin production, leading to poor nutrition, weight loss and diabetes.
With chronic pancreatitis, pain may come and go or become constant. Some people eventually have little pain but develop digestive problems instead.
Gallstones and alcohol are the leading causes. Other possible causes include:
Sometimes no definite cause is found. Identifying the cause matters because treating it can reduce the risk of another attack.
Your doctor will assess the pattern of pain, examine you and review alcohol use, medicines and previous gallstone problems. Tests may include:
Not every patient needs every scan. The tests are selected according to the symptoms, timing and severity of illness.
Go to the nearest emergency department if severe abdominal pain does not settle, spreads to the back, or is associated with repeated vomiting, fever or chills, jaundice, faintness, a very fast heartbeat, abdominal swelling or difficulty breathing.
Do not try to manage severe, persistent upper abdominal pain with home remedies alone. Pancreatitis cannot be confirmed from symptoms without medical assessment and tests.
Treatment depends on the severity and cause. It may include hospital monitoring, fluids, pain relief, nutrition and treatment of gallstones, high triglycerides, infection or a blocked duct. Severe disease may require intensive care, endoscopic drainage or surgery. Chronic pancreatitis may need pancreatic enzyme capsules, nutrition support, diabetes care, endoscopic treatment or surgery.
Severe upper abdominal pain that persists or spreads to the back should not be ignored. Early assessment can identify pancreatitis, determine its cause and prevent avoidable complications. Recurrent pain, unexplained weight loss or oily stools also deserve specialist evaluation.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai (Alwarpet, Radial Road & Vadapalani), Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and paediatric trauma care.
Chennai Alwarpet – 044 4000 6000 • Chennai Radial Road – 044 6111 6111 • Chennai Vadapalani – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Maa Kauvery Trichy – 0431 4077777 • Kauvery Cancer Institute, Trichy – 0431 4077777 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 68011
