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What Should You Know About Pancreatitis?

Written by Alicia Racelis, PhD
Medically Reviewed by Shruthi N, MD on July 23, 2025
11 min read

Pancreatitis is simply an inflamed pancreas. Your pancreas is a large gland that sits behind your stomach, next to your small intestine. The gland does two main things:

  • Sends powerful enzymes into your small intestine to digest your food
  • Puts insulin and glucagon into your bloodstream to control how your body uses food for energy

If the digestive enzymes inside your pancreas begin working before it releases them, the gland can get damaged. It's rare; only about 275,000 people a year go to the hospital in the U.S. with sudden, acute pancreatitis. Most people feel better with treatment after a few days but about 20 out of every 100 acute pancreatitis cases are serious. 

Chronic pancreatitis is much less common, with 86,000 people in the U.S. being hospitalized for it each year. Find out more about the types of pancreatitis, what causes the condition, and how it's treated.

There are two forms of pancreatitis, acute and chronic. Acute pancreatitis can sometimes become serious or life-threatening. Many experts think repeated acute attacks can cause chronic pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis

A sudden inflammation that lasts a short time usually means acute pancreatitis. Most attacks go away with medical treatment. But a few people may get life-threatening complications, including organ failure.

Your doctor can help you figure out what's causing your acute pancreatitis. This helps you get the best treatment, get better, and prevent it from coming back.

Chronic pancreatitis 

When pancreatitis lasts longer, it's likely chronic. Chronic pancreatitis can mean permanent damage that persists and worsens over time. It often happens after an acute pancreatitis attack.

Most people with chronic pancreatitis have more than one risk factor for the condition. And knowing the symptoms for chronic pancreatitis can help you get the best treatment.

Your symptoms can depend on the type of pancreatitis you have. 

Symptoms of acute pancreatitis

Rarely, your only symptom may be low blood pressure. But usually with acute pancreatitis, you get:

  • Moderate to serious pain in the upper left part of your belly
  • Pain that wraps around to your back like a band
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Shortness of breath

Your gallbladder is near your pancreas. It can also become irritated and form stones. With gallstones, the pain often begins in the upper right part of your belly and happens before pancreas-related pain. 

But if you drink alcohol, your acute attacks may happen one to three days after you binge or stop drinking.

If you have a serious case of pancreatitis, you may have:

  • A fast heat rate
  • A fever
  • Low blood pressure
  • Bleeding (bruises or nosebleeds)
  • Lower oxygen levels

Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis

Not everyone gets symptoms. But most people with chronic pancreatitis have chronic belly pain.

Most often, you may get:

  • Long-lasting pain in your belly. It can get worse at times.
  • The pain may be in the center or upper part of your belly and spread to your back. 
  • This pain may be disabling.
  • Fatty, oily stools that smell especially bad and can leave a film in the toilet.

Chronic pancreatitis can also lead to vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, and poor nutrition.

When to call the doctor

Get medical care right away or go to the nearest emergency medical center if you get:

  • A fever
  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Short of breath
  • Serious belly pain or tenderness that becomes worse
  • A yellow color to your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice)

Acute pancreatitis can feel like:

  • A sudden, serious pain that starts in the center of your belly
  • A general feeling of sickness
  • Pain that often spreads up your left shoulder blade
  • Pain that's going deep into your body
  • Pain that moves across your back, to your right side, or rarely stays on your left side
  • Pain that gets worse, lasting for days
  • A racing heartbeat

Chronic pancreatitis pain usually happens after an acute episode. You may feel like you have:

  • Repeated, chronic episodes of serious belly pain
  • Pain in your upper middle or left part of your belly
  • Pain that spreads to your back
  • A burning, shooting pain that can come and go
  • Pain that lasts hours or days
  • Pain after you eat a meal or feel sick and vomit
  • Pain that prevents you from eating
  • More frequent episodes of pain as your condition worsens

Certain body positions or activities can also affect the pain. You may feel worse if you: 

  • Lie flat on your back
  • Cough
  • Exercise
  • Eat, especially foods high in fat

You may feel better if you:

  • Sit up straight 
  • Lean forward 
  • Curl into a ball
  • Eat a smaller amount

Inflammation and swelling can damage the tissues of your pancreas. Certain conditions can inflame your pancreas or cause fluid buildup.

Both acute and chronic pancreatitis are commonly caused by:

  • Gallstones
  • Drinking lots of alcohol
  • Inherited pancreatitis, such as changes in your digestive enzyme gene called trypsin 1 (PRSS1) or your cystic fibrosis-related genes (SPINK1, CTRC, and CFTR)
  • Some medications

Acute pancreatitis causes

Gallstones and heavy drinking are the most common causes for acute pancreatitis.  About a third of acute pancreatitis cases are from gallstones. Most people have mild to moderate pancreatitis, but a few develop serious, life-threatening problems.

Acute pancreatitis can also be caused by:

  • Surgery, such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) — a procedure to take out gallstones and check your pancreatic ducts
  • High triglycerides (blood fats) over 1,000 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
  • Infections
  • Autoimmune and vascular diseases
  • Metabolic disorders such as high calcium (hypercalcemia)
  • Cysts, tumors, or other pancreatic problems

For 15 out of every 100 people with acute pancreatitis, the cause is unknown.

Chronic pancreatitis causes

More than one condition usually contributes to chronic pancreatitis. But the cause isn't known for about 20-30 out of every 100 people with chronic pancreatitis. 

Many things can raise your risk over time. Common causes for chronic pancreatitis can include:

  • Alcohol use: It contributes to almost half of the chronic pancreatitis cases in the U.S.
  • Tobacco use
  • High levels of triglycerides (blood fats), high calcium levels (hypercalcemia), or chronic kidney disease
  • Autoimmune conditions
  • Chronic pancreas problems, like vascular issues
  • Blocked pancreatic duct (the tube connecting the pancreas and the small intestine)

Several things can raise your risk for pancreatitis. You may have a higher risk for pancreatitis if you:

  • Drink heavily (four or more alcoholic drinksper day)
  • Smoke or vape
  • Are African American

Although many studies report men have a higher risk, a recent study showed that women make up 45% of chronic pancreatitis cases in the U.S.

Certain health conditions can also raise your risk for pancreatitis:

  • High levels of triglycerides
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity (having a BMI of 30 or higher), especially if your weight is mostly around your belly 
  • Have a family history of pancreatitis
  • Have a personal or family history of gallstones

Although most people get better, acute pancreatitis can cause complications. Serious infections and life-threatening organ damage can occur with pancreatitis. But learning about complications can help you get treatment and prevent your condition from getting worse.

Acute pancreatitis complications

Most people with mild pancreatitis recover with medical care. Fluid buildup and inflammation can spread, causing one or more organs to fail. 

With acute pancreatitis complications, you may get:

  • Lung, heart, or kidney failure
  • Serious pancreas tissue damage (necrosis)
  • Bleeding
  • Dehydration
  • Infection
  • Cysts

Chronic pancreatitis complications

With chronic pancreatitis, you may get:

  • Digestive and nutritional problems (lower amounts of digestive enzymes can mean you can't absorb enough nutrients)
  • Metabolic problems, such as diabetes and osteoporosis
  • Scars on your pancreas 
  • Blocked bile or pancreatic duct, which can cause jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
  • Pancreatic duct leakage
  • Pseudocysts, when fluid collects in pockets on your pancreas (which can burst and become infected)
  • Pancreatic necrosis, when pancreatic tissue dies without enough blood
  • Weight loss
  • Cancer of your pancreas

Your doctor uses your medical history, a physical exam, blood tests, and imaging scans to diagnose pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis diagnosis

Because acute pancreatitis can mimic other medical conditions, it can be hard to diagnose. For acute pancreatitis, your doctor looks for:

  • Typical belly pain (they may press to see if it's tender)
  • High levels of two digestive enzymes, amylase and lipase
  • Pancreas inflammation
  • Low blood pressure and body temperature
  • A fast heart rate

Your doctor may also run tests to check your blood fats (triglycerides), calcium, white blood cells (complete blood count), and liver enzymes. This can help check for gallstones and jaundice. 

They may also test for an antibody called immunoglobulin (IgG) 4 to check for autoimmune disease.

Chronic pancreatitis diagnosis

With chronic pancreatitis, your doctor will check for:

  • A history of acute attacks
  • Diarrhea, fatty stools, or weight loss
  • Blood sugar (glucose) to check for diabetes

Your doctor may also do a glucose tolerance test to see how well your body breaks down glucose and uses insulin. The test can suggest problems with how your pancreas makes insulin. 

And if they suspect a family history of pancreatitis, you'll get a DNA test to check for inherited forms of pancreatitis.

Stool testing

You may get a poop (stool) elastase test to check if your pancreas makes enough enzymes to process fat. Your doctor may also check your stool for extra fat. This poop test can tell your doctor how well your body is absorbing fatty foods.

Imaging for pancreatitis

Imaging tests can show an inflamed pancreas. The scans can also tell your doctor if your pancreas is calcified. This means you have calcium deposits in your pancreas. These deposits are commonly caused by alcohol use disorder.

Your doctor may order imaging scans such as:

  • X-ray of your belly (abdomen)
  • Ultrasound or endoscopic ultrasound, your doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube into your throat to see pictures of your pancreas
  • CT scan
  • MRI or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), a special MRI of your pancreas, bile ducts, and gallbladder
  • ERCP to check your pancreatic and bile ducts
  • Biopsy, your doctor removes a small piece of tissue from your pancreas with a needle for testing

Pancreatic function test (PFT)

Your doctor may check how your pancreas and small intestine work together using a PFT. Only certain centers do this test in the U.S. 

The test measures how your pancreas reacts to a hormone called secretin, which normally triggers the release of digestive enzymes. But the inflammation from pancreatitis can stop these enzymes from being released.

Your treatment usually depends on the type of pancreatitis and how serious your condition gets.

With pancreatitis, you may get treatments such as:

  • Supportive hospital care
  • Antibiotics
  • Pain medications
  • Diet changes
  • Surgery

Treatment for acute pancreatitis

Many people with mild acute pancreatitis recover with supportive care like IV fluids (in your vein), monitoring, and pain medication. 

But if your vomiting is moderate or serious, your doctor may place a tube through your nose. With prolonged attacks, you may be fed and hydrated through an IV. 

You'll probably need to stay in the hospital, where your treatment may include:

  • Antibiotics
  • IV fluids
  • Low-fat diet or fasting
  • Pain medicine

In some cases, your doctor may suggest removinggallstones — a surgery called cholecystectomy. Some studies report taking your gallstones out earlier may help you recover faster. 

With mild acute pancreatitis, you may stay in the hospital for a week. But if you have a more serious acute pancreatitis attack, you may need to stay longer. If your pancreatitis symptoms become serious, you may need hospital treatment for weeks to months.

Treatment for chronic pancreatitis

Here are some ways your doctor may treat your chronic pancreatitis:

  • Help you quit smoking and drinking
  • Diet therapy to eat low fat meals, stay hydrated, and learn to fast (can help lower your pain)
  • Pain and anti-inflammatory medicine for any flares
  • Nerve blocks (pain medication injected into nearby nerves to block pain signals to your pancreas)
  • Feeding tubes and medicines to give your pancreas a rest
  • Pancreatic enzymes to help your body get enough nutrients from your food
  • Antianxiety and antidepressant medicines
  • Insulin to treat diabetes
  • Surgery or procedures to relieve pain, such as a stent to widen your pancreatic duct
  • Help with drainage or treat blockages

Nerve block medication may give pain relief. And if other treatments aren't working, your doctor may suggest surgery. Some procedures can remove the damaged pancreatic tissue.

Can pancreatitis be fixed with surgery?

More than half of the people who have chronic pancreatitis get some type of surgery for treatment.

If your case is serious, your treatment might include:

  • ERCP — A tube is inserted into your stomach and upper intestines to take out gallstones. A plastic tube called a stent is also inserted into the ducts to relieve blockages.
  • Gallbladder surgery if gallstones caused your pancreatitis
  • Pancreas surgery to clean out fluid, dead, or diseased tissue

You can't always prevent pancreatitis. But you can make certain lifestyle choices to lower your risk for pancreatitis. 

To lower your risk for pancreatitis, you can:

  • Get help for alcohol use disorder. If you can't quit, try to limit or cut back on how much you drink. Talk to your doctor about alcohol treatment centers or a support group like Alcoholics Anonymous.
  • Quit smoking.
  • Eat a healthy, low-fat diet full of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
  • Take any medications your doctor prescribes.
  • Manage your diabetes, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels.

Pancreatitis is just an inflamed pancreas. Although most cases are mild, acute pancreatitis can worsen to become life-threatening and cause organ failure. The chronic form is long-lasting and can cause permanent damage. Fortunately, treatment can help you prevent complications and recover. Talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes to lower your risk for pancreatitis.

What are the warning signs of pancreatitis?

The main early sign is upper belly pain that comes on suddenly and lingers. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are also possible. The pain may spread to your back, and you may have yellowing (jaundice) of your skin and the whites of your eyes. 

What can trigger pancreatitis?

The main triggers of pancreatitis are: 

  • Long-term heavy alcohol use
  • Gallstones

Other causes include: 

  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Infections
  • Certain medications
  • Metabolic disorders such as diabetes or high calcium
  • Trauma or surgery in the belly area 
  • A family history of pancreatic disorders
  • High triglycerides

How serious is pancreatitis?

Although most people with pancreatitis get better with treatment, pancreatitis can cause life-threatening complications. One or more of your organs can fail and the complications can sometimes be fatal. Getting treatment early can help lower your risk for complications.

Can pancreatitis reverse itself without medical intervention?

If you have a very mild case of pancreatitis, most people get better with rest, hydration, and pain relief. But you'll probably need medical intervention to get hydration and pain relief. The hydration is usually given through an IV (in your vein).

That's because pancreatitis can make you vomit, feel nauseated, or have diarrhea. This can make eating and drinking hard. And without food or water, you can easily get other health problems. But with an IV, the fluid goes directly into your vein. This can keep you hydrated to prevent dehydration and speed up your healing.

How long does it take to cure pancreatitis?

If you have mild acute pancreatitis, you'll likely feel better after a few weeks. With moderate to serious pancreatitis, it can take months to feel better. But if you have chronic pancreatitis, your pancreas probably has permanent damage. 

That means your pancreatitis can't be cured and can get worse over time. Fortunately, treatment can help you manage your condition. Talk to your doctor about the best chronic pancreatitis treatment for your specific situation.

Can pancreatitis be fatal?

Yes, sometimes acute pancreatitis can cause one or more of your organs to fail. About 20 in 100 people with acute pancreatitis get complications that become fatal. But most people with pancreatitis get better with treatment.