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Low back pain worsens with drinking alcohol
Alcohol intake aggravates stomach pain
Stomachache
Upper left abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Localized abdominal pain
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Acute Pancreatitis?
Inflammation of the pancreas. Causes include alcohol, gallstones, and high triglyceride levels in the blood. Prompt medical treatment is essential as it can be life-threatening.
Typical Symptoms of Acute Pancreatitis
- Stomach or abdominal pain that worsens when drinking alcohol
- History of pancreatitis
- Stomach or abdominal pain in a specific area
- Nausea or vomiting after eating
- Stomach or abdominal pain with the abdomen becoming hard when gently pressed
- Pain in the upper left abdomen
- Stomach or abdominal pain that worsens after meals
- Black, shiny stool
Diagnostic Questions for Acute Pancreatitis
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Does your stomach or abdominal pain worsen when drinking alcohol?
- Have you ever had pancreatitis?
- Do you have stomach or abdominal pain in a specific area?
- Do you experience nausea or vomiting after eating?
- Do you have stomach or abdominal pain with your abdomen becoming hard when gently pressed?
Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis
This requires prompt medical care and hospitalization. In most cases, the treatment is supportive with IV "drip" fluids, pain medications, and oxygen. Treatment of the cause may also be needed, such as a procedure to remove gallstones or therapy for excessive alcohol drinking.
Reviewed By:
Maxwell J. Nanes, DO (Emergency Medicine)
Dr Nanes received a doctorate from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and went on to complete a residency in emergency medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. There he trained at Froedtert Hospital and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in the practice of adult and pediatric emergency medicine. He was a chief resident and received numerous awards for teaching excellence during his time there. | | After residency he took a job at a community hospital where he and his colleagues worked through the toughest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. |
Aiko Yoshioka, MD (Gastroenterology)
Dr. Yoshioka graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine. He worked as a gastroenterologist at Saiseikai Niigata Hospital and Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital before serving as the Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology at Tsubame Rosai Hospital and Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital. Dr. Yoshioka joined Saitama Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital as Chief of Gastroenterology in April 2018.
Content updated on Mar 31, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Symptoms Related to Acute Pancreatitis
Diseases Related to Acute Pancreatitis
FAQs
Q.
High Lipase? Why Your Pancreas Is Inflamed & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
High lipase often means your pancreas is inflamed, most commonly acute pancreatitis when levels are 3 times the upper limit of normal with upper abdominal pain, though gallstones, heavy alcohol use, high triglycerides, certain medications, kidney disease, and other problems can also raise it and lipase alone does not confirm the diagnosis. Seek urgent care for severe pain, vomiting, fever, jaundice, confusion, or dizziness; medically approved next steps include clinician evaluation, targeted labs, abdominal ultrasound or CT, and treatment such as IV fluids, pain control, and addressing the cause. There are several factors to consider, so see the complete guidance below.
References:
* Isaji S, Kitagawa T. Acute pancreatitis: diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. JGH Open. 2020 Jul 23;4(Suppl 1):7-11. doi: 10.1002/jgh3.12354. PMID: 32675685.
* Singla A, et al. AGA Institute Clinical Practice Update on the Epidemiology, Clinical Presentation, and Prognosis of Acute Pancreatitis: Expert Review. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021 Nov;19(11):2294-2303.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2021.05.048. PMID: 34090958.
* Vissers L, et al. Causes of hyperlipasemia other than acute pancreatitis: A critical review. Pancreatology. 2018 Jun;18(4):347-353. doi: 10.1016/j.pan.2018.03.003. PMID: 29555191.
* Tandon RK, et al. Chronic Pancreatitis: Detection, Investigation and Management. J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2019 Jun 28;7(2):162-171. doi: 10.14218/JCTH.2018.00067. PMID: 31238466.
* Alarcon T, et al. A contemporary review of the diagnosis and management of acute pancreatitis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2023 Feb;38(2):202-214. doi: 10.1111/jgh.16091. PMID: 36712398.
Q.
Pancreatitis Symptoms? Why Your Pancreas Is Inflamed & Medical Next Steps
A.
Pancreatitis often causes sudden, severe upper abdominal pain that can radiate to the back and is frequently joined by nausea or vomiting, with gallstones and heavy alcohol use being the leading causes. Because it can escalate quickly, seek urgent care for persistent or severe pain, vomiting, fever, rapid heartbeat, or feeling faint; doctors confirm it with blood tests like lipase and imaging, and treatment may involve hospital care with IV fluids, pain control, fasting, and fixing the trigger, while chronic cases may require enzyme supplements and lifestyle changes. There are several factors, complications, and prevention steps to consider; see the complete details and medical next steps below.
References:
* Samanta, J., et al. Acute pancreatitis: New insights into pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment. *Gut and Liver*, vol. 15, no. 6, 2021, pp. 783-801. PMID: 34840331. DOI: 10.5009/gnl20173.
* Gardner, T. B., et al. Chronic Pancreatitis: Diagnosis and Treatment. *Gastroenterology*, vol. 156, no. 7, 2019, pp. 1989-2003.e3. PMID: 30878512. DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.02.046.
* Lankisch, P. G., et al. Etiology and Pathophysiology of Acute Pancreatitis. *Frontiers in Physiology*, vol. 12, 2021, p. 696561. PMID: 34168434. DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.696561.
* Crockett, S. D., et al. AGA Clinical Practice Guideline on the Management of Acute Pancreatitis. *Gastroenterology*, vol. 156, no. 7, 2019, pp. 1993-2016. PMID: 30849402. DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.03.003.
* Loehr, M., et al. Pancreatitis: A Brief Overview of Etiology, Pathogenesis, and Management. *Cells*, vol. 11, no. 9, 2022, p. 1530. PMID: 35560126. DOI: 10.3390/cells11091530.
Q.
Is it Pancreatitis? Why your pancreas is inflamed and the medical next steps.
A.
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that typically causes sudden severe upper abdominal pain that can spread to the back with nausea or vomiting; common triggers are gallstones and alcohol, but high triglycerides, certain medicines, infections, injury, autoimmune disease, and other causes are possible. Because it can become life-threatening, seek prompt medical care for severe or persistent pain so doctors can confirm it with enzyme blood tests and imaging, give IV fluids, pain control, and bowel rest, and treat the cause such as removing gallstones or stopping alcohol. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more.
References:
* Wang G, Li Y, Yang C, et al. Acute pancreatitis: recent advances in diagnosis, imaging and management. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2023 Mar;38(3):355-364. doi: 10.1111/jgh.16067. Epub 2022 Nov 20. PMID: 36398335.
* Singh VK, Yadav D. Acute Pancreatitis: Etiology, Pathophysiology, and Management. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2022 Mar;51(1):15-32. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2021.09.006. Epub 2021 Dec 2. PMID: 35123566; PMCID: PMC8759325.
* Singh VK, Yadav D. AGA Clinical Practice Update on the Management of Acute Pancreatitis: Expert Review. Gastroenterology. 2022 Jan;162(1):315-321. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.09.027. Epub 2021 Sep 28. PMID: 34592237.
* Pezzilli R, Uomo G, Al-Haddad M, et al. Chronic pancreatitis: update on pathophysiology, imaging, and management. Minerva Gastroenterol. 2023 Mar;69(1):1-16. doi: 10.23736/S2724-5975.22.07221-7. Epub 2022 Nov 17. PMID: 36394541.
* Gukovskaya AS, Gukovsky I, Algül H, et al. Pancreatitis. Lancet. 2020 Jan 25;395(10220):305-323. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)32971-4. Epub 2019 Jan 10. PMID: 30638520; PMCID: PMC7264875.
Q.
Pancreatitis in Women (30-45): Symptoms & Your Action Plan
A.
In women 30 to 45, pancreatitis is often caused by gallstones or alcohol and typically presents with severe, persistent upper abdominal pain that can spread to the back, often with nausea or vomiting and worse after eating. If you have these symptoms, seek urgent medical care for evaluation and treatment, and review risks like gallstones, high triglycerides, pregnancy or hormone use, and certain medications. There are several factors to consider; see below for the complete action plan, red flags that require immediate care, testing options, pregnancy considerations, and prevention steps that could affect your next decisions.
References:
* Singla A, et al. Sex and gender differences in acute pancreatitis: incidence, severity, and outcomes. Gastroenterology. 2021 Jul;161(1):287-302.e1. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.03.023. Epub 2021 Mar 18. PMID: 33744315.
* Koutroumpakis E, et al. Acute Pancreatitis: A Review. JAMA. 2022 Dec 13;328(22):2272-2283. doi: 10.1001/jama.2022.20452. PMID: 36511979.
* Pavan N, et al. Acute Pancreatitis During Pregnancy: Etiology, Management, and Outcomes. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2021 May 1;55(5):373-380. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000001509. PMID: 33497672.
* Vege SS, et al. Acute Pancreatitis: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Management. Med Clin North Am. 2021 Jan;105(1):79-105. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2020.08.006. Epub 2020 Oct 17. PMID: 33183570.
* Nishimori I, et al. Autoimmune pancreatitis: diagnosis, treatment, and clinical course. World J Gastroenterol. 2016 Sep 14;22(34):7741-55. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i34.7741. PMID: 27678351.
Q.
What is pancreatitis?
A.
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas—an organ that makes digestive enzymes and insulin—caused when enzymes activate too early and begin digesting the pancreas itself, leading to pain, swelling, and sometimes life‑threatening complications. It can be acute (sudden, often resolves) or chronic (long‑term, irreversible damage with digestive problems and diabetes), commonly triggered by gallstones, alcohol, high triglycerides, or certain medications. There are several factors to consider, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and when to seek urgent care—see below for complete details that may affect your next steps.
References:
Banks PA, Bollen TL, Dervenis C, et al. (2013). Classification of acute pancreatitis–2012: revision of the Atlanta classification and definit… Gut, 23100216.
D'Amico G, Garcia-Tsao G, Pagliaro L. (2006). Natural history and prognostic indicators of survival in cirrhosis: a systematic review of 118 … J Hepatol, 16324864.
Tsochatzis EA, Bosch J, Burroughs AK. (2014). Liver cirrhosis… Lancet, 24613312.
Q.
Pancreatitis: when to worry
A.
Seek urgent care if you have severe, unrelenting upper-abdominal pain (often radiating to the back), persistent vomiting, fever over 101°F, rapid heartbeat, jaundice, shortness of breath, confusion, dizziness/low blood pressure, or decreased urine—these can signal serious complications or organ failure. Mild cases may improve with rest and fluids, but severe pancreatitis is life-threatening; there are several factors to consider, and the complete guidance below covers key warning signs, when home care is unsafe, how doctors gauge risk (BISAP), follow-up, and long-term risks that could affect your next steps.
References:
Wu BU, Johannes RS, Sun X, Tabak Y, Conwell DL, & Banks PA. (2008). A simple risk score to predict in-hospital mortality in acute… Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol, 18851868.
Banks PA, Bollen TL, Dervenis C, Gooszen HG, Johnson CD, Sarr MG, & Thoeni RF. (2013). Classification of acute pancreatitis—2012: revision of the… Gut, 22619251.
Kamath PS, & Wiesner RH. (2001). A model to predict survival in patients with end-stage liver diseas… Hepatology, 11157951.
Q.
What illnesses could cause pain above the belly button when pressed?
A.
Pain above the belly button when pressed can be caused by various illnesses and conditions. Understanding these potential causes is important for proper diagnosis and treatment.
References:
Munisamy R, Uppalu H, Raghavendra R, Venkata NP, Harshita S, Janarthanam SV. Type-I complex regional pain syndrome of umbilical port site: An unforeseen complication of laparoscopic surgery. J Minim Access Surg. 2012 Apr;8(2):50-3. doi: 10.4103/0972-9941.95535. PMID: 22623826; PMCID: PMC3353613.
Patterson JW, Kashyap S, Dominique E. Acute Abdomen. [Updated 2023 Jul 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459328/
Applegate WV. Abdominal Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome (ACNES): A Commonly Overlooked Cause of Abdominal Pain. Perm J. 2002 Summer;6(3):20–7. PMCID: PMC6220638.
Q.
What illnesses could cause upper stomach pain and nausea?
A.
Upper stomach pain accompanied by nausea can be caused by a variety of illnesses, including gastrointestinal disorders, infections, and other medical conditions. Common causes include gastritis, peptic ulcers, gallbladder disease, and pancreatitis. Understanding these potential causes is important for seeking appropriate medical evaluation and treatment.
References:
Murali N, El Hayek SM. Abdominal Pain Mimics. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2021 Nov;39(4):839-850. doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2021.07.003. Epub 2021 Sep 10. PMID: 34600641; PMCID: PMC8430370.
Sherman R. Abdominal Pain. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 86.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK412/
Govender I, Rangiah S, Bongongo T, Mahuma P. A Primary Care Approach to Abdominal Pain in Adults. S Afr Fam Pract (2004). 2021 Mar 10;63(1):e1-e5. doi: 10.4102/safp.v63i1.5280. PMID: 33764143; PMCID: PMC8378095.
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Greenberg JA, Hsu J, Bawazeer M, Marshall J, Friedrich JO, Nathens A, Coburn N, May GR, Pearsall E, McLeod RS. Clinical practice guideline: management of acute pancreatitis. Can J Surg. 2016 Apr;59(2):128-40. doi: 10.1503/cjs.015015. PMID: 27007094; PMCID: PMC4814287.
https://www.canjsurg.ca/content/59/2/128Lankisch PG, Apte M, Banks PA. Acute pancreatitis. Lancet. 2015 Jul 4;386(9988):85-96. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60649-8. Epub 2015 Jan 21. Erratum in: Lancet. 2015 Nov 21;386(10008):2058. PMID: 25616312.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(14)60649-8/fulltextYang AL, McNabb-Baltar J. Hypertriglyceridemia and acute pancreatitis. Pancreatology. 2020 Jul;20(5):795-800. doi: 10.1016/j.pan.2020.06.005. Epub 2020 Jun 12. PMID: 32571534.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1424390320301988?via%3DihubJames TW, Crockett SD. Management of acute pancreatitis in the first 72 hours. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2018 Sep;34(5):330-335. doi: 10.1097/MOG.0000000000000456. PMID: 29957661; PMCID: PMC6245573.
https://journals.lww.com/co-gastroenterology/Abstract/2018/09000/Management_of_acute_pancreatitis_in_the_first_72.11.aspxWang GJ, Gao CF, Wei D, Wang C, Ding SQ. Acute pancreatitis: etiology and common pathogenesis. World J Gastroenterol. 2009 Mar 28;15(12):1427-30. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.1427. PMID: 19322914; PMCID: PMC2665136.
https://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v15/i12/1427.htm