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Acute pancreatitis - Symptom

Symptoms:

  • Abdominal pain that is greatest in the upper abdomen (upper left quadrant or upper middle of the abdomen)
    • Is persistent or chronic
    • May be worse lying flat on the back
    • May spread (radiate) to the back or below the left shoulder blade
    • May be worse after eating or drinking (occurs within minutes following meals), especially foods with a high fat content
    • May be worse after drinking alcohol
  • Anxiety
  • Fever
  • Mild jaundice
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Sweating

Other symptoms that may occur with this disease:

Signs and tests:

An examination may show:

  • Fever
  • Low blood pressure
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Rapid breathing (respiratory) rate

Tests that show release of pancreatic enzymes:

Test that show inflammation of the pancreas:

Other blood tests:

  • Reviewed last on: 5/27/2008
  • Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Banks PA, Freeman ML; Practice Parameters Committee of the American College of Gastroenterology. Practice guidelines in acute pancreatitis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2006 Oct;101(10):2379-400.

Frossard JL, Steer ML, Pastor CM. Acute pancreatitis. Lancet. 2008;371:143-152.