Signs and symptoms
... Acute pancreatitis comes on suddenly, usually with mild to severe pain in your upper abdomen that may radiate to your back and occasionally to your chest. The pain may be nearly constant for hours or ...

Causes
... The pancreas serves two distinct but equally vital functions. It produces digestive juices and enzymes that help break down proteins, carbohydrates and fats in your small intestine. It also secretes t...

Risk factors
... Although one of the primary risk factors for pancreatitis is long-term alcohol abuse, only a small percentage of people with alcoholism develop the disease. For that reason, researchers believe that m...

When to seek medical advice
... If you have intense, persistent abdominal pain, see your doctor to determine whether pancreatitis or some other medical condition is the cause. It''s important to diagnose pancreatitis early before se...

Screening and diagnosis
... Because diagnosing pancreatitis can be difficult, you''re likely to have several tests to help pinpoint the problem. The type of test may depend on whether your pancreatitis is acute or chronic. Acute...