Acute pancreatitis
Overview
Acute pancreatitis is a condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed (swollen) over a short period of time.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of acute pancreatitis include: suddenly getting severe pain in the centre of your tummy (abdomen)feeling or being sicka high temperature of 38C or more (fever) Read more about thesymptoms of acute pancreatitisanddiagnosing acute pancreatitis.
Causes
Acute pancreatitis is most often linked to: gallstonesdrinking too much alcohol But sometimes the cause is not known. By reducing how much alcohol you drink and altering your diet to make gallstones less likely, you can reduce your chances of developing acute pancreatitis. Read more about thecauses of acute pancreatitisandpreventing acute pancreatitis.
Treatment
Treatment for acute pancreatitis aims to help control the condition and manage any symptoms. This usually involves admission to hospital. You may be given fluids directly into a vein (intravenous fluids), pain relief, liquid food through a tube in your tummy and oxygen through tubes in your nose. Most people with acute pancreatitis get better within a week and are well enough to leave hospital after a few days. Recovery can take longer in severe cases, as some people can develop complications. Read more abouttreating acute pancreatitisand the possiblecomplications of acute pancreatitis.
When to see a doctor
See a GP immediately if you suddenly develop severe abdominal pain. If this isn't possible, contactNHS 111for advice.