Health Topics A-Z

What Are the Symptoms of Pancreatitis?

For acute pancreatitis:

• Sudden, intense pains in the middle of the abdomen, often beginning 12 to 24 hours after a large meal or a bout of heavy drinking. The pain may radiate to your back.
• Fever.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Clammy skin.
• Abdominal distention and tenderness.
• Rapid pulse.

For chronic pancreatitis:

• Intense, long-lasting abdominal pain that may radiate to the back and chest; the pain may be persistent or intermittent.
• Excessively foul, bulky stools.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Weight loss due to malabsorption of food.
• Abdominal distention.
• Development of diabetes if insulin-producing cells of the pancreas become damaged

Call Your Doctor If:

• You think you may have pancreatitis. Patients with acute pancreatitis must have professional care to avoid serious, possibly life-threatening complications. Chronic pancreatitis also requires professional evaluation and treatment.
• You continue to lose weight after treatment for pancreatitis; you may have a complication that prevents the body from digesting food properly.
• You are pale, cold, clammy, have a rapid heartbeat or are breathing rapidly; you may be in shock and need emergency care.