Acute pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that develops suddenly. Some acute pancreatitis symptoms include sudden pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, and swelling in the abdomen.

Some mild cases of acute pancreatitis resolve without treatment, but severe cases need treatment to prevent life threatening complications.

The pancreas is a long, flat gland behind the stomach in the upper abdomen. It produces digestive enzymes and hormones, which regulate how the body processes glucose.

Read on to learn more about acute pancreatitis. This article looks at symptoms and causes, how doctors diagnose the condition, treatment options, and more.

Typically, acute pancreatitis causes a sudden onset of pain in the center of the upper abdomen. The pain may intensify and become severe, and it may spread toward the back.

Leaning forward may ease the pain, but lying down or walking can make it worse. Anyone with unrelenting pain should receive medical attention.

The following symptoms may also occur:

Gallstones and alcohol misuse are the most common causes of acute pancreatitis.

Gallstones

Gallstones are small, pebble-like formations that develop in the gallbladder, often when there is too much cholesterol in the body’s bile.

Sometimes, gallstones become lodged as they travel through bile ducts into the intestines. This blockage affects the pancreas and prevents it from releasing its enzymes into the intestines.

Alcohol misuse

Researchers have linked ongoing, substantial consumption of alcohol to a higher risk of acute and chronic pancreatitis.

While the nature of this link remains unclear, alcohol may increase the production of substances that damage pancreatic tissue and lead to severe inflammatory responses.

Other causes

Other possible causes of acute pancreatitis include:

  • injury to the pancreas, such as during gallstone removal surgery
  • high blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia)
  • high blood fat levels (hypertriglyceridemia)
  • a side effect of certain medications
  • viruses such as measles or mumps
  • autoimmune pancreatitis, which is where the immune system attacks the pancreas.

To assist with reaching an accurate diagnosis, a doctor may begin by asking questions about symptoms, and performing a physical examination.

The doctor may then order various tests to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other possible causes.

Blood test

Blood tests can check for high levels of:

  • amylase and lipase
  • blood glucose
  • lipids or blood fats

A blood test can also check for signs of infection.

Stool test

A stool test can determine whether there is fat malabsorption. This can happen if the pancreas is not working properly.

Imaging tests

Other tests a doctor may recommend include:

The doctor can advise on which tests they recommend and what they involve.

Treatment for acute pancreatitis depends on its severity, though a hospital stay is usually necessary.

For people with mild cases, symptoms may resolve after a few days of rest and treatment in the hospital. Severe cases may require a longer hospital stay and treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Treatments for acute pancreatitis may include:

  • intravenous or oral fluids to prevent dehydration
  • pain relief medication
  • antibiotics to treat any infection
  • a low fat diet or nutrition via a feeding tube
  • a procedure to drain fluid from the abdomen, where necessary
  • endoscopic cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to treat a blocked or narrowing pancreatic or bile duct
  • surgery to remove the gallbladder in more severe cases

Treatment may also be necessary to address the underlying cause, such as gallstones or alcohol misuse.

Pancreatitis can lead to potentially fatal complications. These can include:

  • damage to the pancreas
  • obstruction of a pancreatic or bile duct
  • pseudocysts, with a risk of rupture, hemorrhage, or infection
  • leakage from a pancreatic duct
  • dehydration
  • lung, heart, or kidney failure
  • death

If acute pancreatitis keeps coming back, it may develop into chronic pancreatitis.

Contacting a doctor as soon as a person has concerns about pancreatitis and receiving appropriate treatment may help to reduce the risk of complications.

Acute pancreatitis usually resolves in several days with treatment. A person may need to receive this in a hospital, depending on the cause and severity of the condition.

In the United States, acute pancreatitis is a leading cause of hospital admission due to gastrointestinal disease, resulting in roughly 300,000 hospitalizations a year.

A person’s doctor can advise on what treatments they recommend and what recovery may look like.

Can you fully recover from acute pancreatitis?

In around 80% of acute pancreatitis cases, the inflammation resolves completely or shows significant improvement within 1 to 2 weeks.

What does pancreatitis pain feel like?

Acute pancreatitis pain can be a mild or severe pain that begins in the upper abdomen. It may spread to the back. Chronic pancreatitis pain may be constant and severe.

What is the best treatment for pancreatitis?

The best treatments for pancreatitis can include fluids, pain relief, and a low fat diet. A person may also require other treatments depending on the symptoms or severity of the condition.

What is the main cause of acute pancreatitis?

The main causes of acute pancreatitis are gallstones and alcohol misuse.

Acute pancreatitis is the sudden inflammation of the pancreas. Common causes include gallstones and alcohol misuse.

Symptoms of acute pancreatitis can include abdominal pain, swelling, and tenderness. It can also lead to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Treatment in the hospital is necessary in most cases of acute pancreatitis. Possible treatments can include intravenous or oral fluids, antibiotics, and pain relief medication. A person may also need to follow a low fat diet.

It is important to seek medical help if a person has concerns about acute pancreatitis. Receiving treatment as early as possible can help to reduce the risk of complications.