What are the symptoms of acute pancreatitis?

Symptoms of ACUTE PANCREATITIS are: (1) History of pancreatitis. (2) Upper left abdominal pain. (3) Abdominal pain. (4) Stomach pain or tummy ache in a specific place. (5) Pain when pressing down on the abdomen. (6) Feeling cold or shivering. (7) Diarrhea. (8) Upper central abdominal pain. (9) Stomach feels bloated. (10) Low back pain worsens with drinking alcohol. (11) Abdominal pain worsens after drinking alcohol

Acute Pancreatitis Quiz

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Learn more about Acute pancreatitis

Content updated on Sep 20, 2022

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.

Symptoms of acute pancreatitis

History of pancreatitis
Upper left abdominal pain
Abdominal pain
Stomach pain or tummy ache in a specific place
Pain when pressing down on the abdomen
Feeling cold or shivering
Diarrhea
Upper central abdominal pain

Questions your doctor may ask to check for acute pancreatitis

Your doctor may ask these questions to diagnose acute pancreatitis

Have you ever had inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)?
Do you feel pain in the upper left portion of your abdomen (stomach)?
Do you have abdominal pain (stomach ache)?
Do you have abdominal (stomach) pain in any particular location?
Do you feel severe pain when pressing on your abdomen (stomach)?

Treatment for 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 needed, e.g. a procedure to remove gallstones, or therapy for excessive alcohol drinking.

View the symptoms of Acute pancreatitis

Diseases related to Acute pancreatitis

References

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https://www.canjsurg.ca/content/59/2/128
Lankisch 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/fulltext
Yang 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%3Dihub
James 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.aspx
Wang 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