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:

• Abdominal indigestion
• Clay-colored stools
• Gaseous abdominal fullness
• Hiccups
• Skin rash or lesion
• Swollen abdomen

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:

• Elevated serum amylase
• Elevated serum lipase
• Elevated urine amylase

Test that show inflammation of the pancreas:

• Abdominal CT scan
• Abdominal MRI
• Abdominal ultrasound

Other blood tests:

• CBC
• Glucose test
• Serum calcium