Before we dive into all the warning signs of pancreatitis, let’s first explains what it is. Healthline states that pancreatitis is a condition that develops due to “pathologic” inflammation of the pancreas.
Our pancreas is located just behind the stomach and it’s job is to release enzymes to help us digest our food and regulate how our body manages glucose, says the source. Pancreatitis can come and go on it’s own, but it can also be a chronic problem with lots of painful and uncomfortable symptoms, including any of these 11…
1. Acute vs. Chronic Pancreatitis
It’s important to note that there are two different kinds of pancreatitis: acute and chronic. Acute pancreatitis often comes on suddenly and clears up within a few days. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) says, 210,000 American adults develop acute pancreatitis each year and that gallstones are typically the most common cause. Chronic pancreatitis is also inflammation of the pancreas and tends to occur for long periods of time causing permanent damage to the pancreas. It’s often caused by alcoholism, as well as autoimmune and genetic diseases.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, here’s a look at some of the most common warning signs of both acute and chronic pancreatitis…
