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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Signs and symptoms of pancreatitis may vary depending on which type you experience.
Acute pancreatitis signs and symptoms include:
- Upper abdominal pain
- Abdominal pain that radiates to your back
- Abdominal pain that feels worse after eating
- Abdominal pain that's somewhat relieved by leaning forward or curling into a ball
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Tenderness when touching the abdomen
Chronic pancreatitis signs and symptoms include:
- Upper abdominal pain
- Indigestion
- Losing weight without trying
- Oily, smelly stools (steatorrhea)
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have persistent abdominal pain. Seek immediate medical help if your abdominal pain is so severe that you can't sit still or find a position that makes you more comfortable.
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- Nair RJ, et al. Chronic pancreatitis. American Family Physician. 2007;16:1679.
- Frossard JL, et al. Acute pancreatitis. Lancet. 2008;371:143.
- Treiber M, et al. Genetics of pancreatitis: A guide for clinicians. Current Gastroenterology Reports. 2008;10:122.
- Twedell D. Acute pancreatitis. Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing. 2008;39:341.
- Cappell MS. Acute pancreatitis: Etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and therapy. Medical Clinics of North America. 2008;92:889.
- Pancreatitis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/pancreatitis/. Accessed Dec. 5, 2008.
- Pancreatitis. American Gastroenterological Association. http://www.gastro.org/wmspage.cfm?parm1=855. Accessed Dec. 5, 2008.
- Sareen S, et al. Yoga: A tool for improving the quality of life in chronic pancreatitis. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2007;13:391.
- Bhardwaj P, et al. A randomized controlled trial of antioxidant supplementation for pain relief in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Gastroenterology. In Press. Accessed Dec. 8, 2008.
