Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas — a gland behind the stomach that makes digestive enzymes and insulin. It can be sudden (acute) or long-standing (chronic). Acute pancreatitis is a potentially life-threatening emergency; chronic pancreatitis slowly damages the pancreas and causes long-term digestive and diabetes problems.

Main causes

• Gallstones blocking the pancreatic duct.
• Heavy alcohol use.
• Very high triglycerides.
• Medicines, infections, autoimmune disease, abdominal trauma.
• ERCP (a specific endoscopy) can occasionally trigger it.
• Chronic pancreatitis in India often has causes beyond alcohol — including tropical calcific pancreatitis, which starts in younger adults.

Symptoms of acute pancreatitis

• Severe upper-abdominal pain, often spreading to the back; worse after eating.
• Persistent nausea and vomiting.
• Tenderness and swelling of the upper belly.
• Fever and fast heartbeat.
• Jaundice if a gallstone is blocking bile flow.

Red flags — dial 112 or go to hospital

• Severe belly pain lasting more than a few hours.
• Inability to keep down fluids.
• Rapid breathing or breathlessness.
• Confusion, drowsiness.
• Shock signs — cold skin, fast heartbeat, low blood pressure.

Chronic pancreatitis

• Recurring upper-abdominal pain.
• Fat in stool (pale, greasy, hard-to-flush) from malabsorption.
• Weight loss.
• Diabetes develops over years.
• Treatment: avoid alcohol absolutely; small frequent low-fat meals; pancreatic enzyme supplements with meals; pain management; insulin for diabetes; endoscopic or surgical procedures for complications.

For anyone with recurring upper-belly pain, especially after meals or with alcohol use, pancreatitis should be on the list. Imaging and blood enzyme tests usually confirm it. Early, consistent lifestyle change makes a major difference to long-term outcomes.