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Acute pancreatitis Health Article

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Definition

Acute pancreatitis is swelling (inflammation) of the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach. It releases the hormones insulin and glucagon as well as substances that help you digest food.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

What exactly causes pancreatitis is not well known. It is thought that inactive substances (called enzymes) normally released by the pancreas somehow become active. These substances eat (and digest) the tissue of the pancreas. This abnormal process is called autodigestion. It causes swelling, bleeding (hemorrhage), and damage to the blood vessels.

Acute pancreatitis affects men more often than women. Certain diseases, surgeries, and habits make you more likely to develop this condition.

The main causes of acute pancreatitis in adults are:

Other causes include:

Acute pancreatitis may also be caused by:

In children, this disorder may be associated with:

Symptoms

The main symptoms is abdominal pain felt in the upper left side or middle of the belly area (abdomen).

The pain:

  • Is persistent or chronic
  • May be worse lying flat on the back
  • May spread (radiate) to the back or below the left shoulder blade
  • May be worse after eating or drinking (occurs within minutes following meals), especially foods with a high fat content
  • May be worse after drinking alcohol

Other common symptoms may include:

  • Anxiety
  • Fever
  • Mild yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Sweating

Other symptoms that may occur with this disease include:

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Reviewer Info: Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.; ADAM Health Illustrated Encyclopedia, 05/27/2008
 
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