Pancreatitis

Overview

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a spongy, tadpole-shaped organ located behind the stomach, which makes enzymes our bodies need to digest food and hormones to regulate blood sugar levels. Symptoms may include pain in the upper abdomen, nausea and vomiting. The pain often goes into the back and is usually severe. There are two main types, acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis. In acute pancreatitis a fever may occur and symptoms typically resolve in a few days. In chronic pancreatitis weight loss, fatty stool, and diarrhea may occur. Complications may include infection, bleeding, diabetes, or problems with other organs.