Symptoms Of Pancreatitis To Look Out For

Upper Abdominal Pain

Pain in the upper abdominal quadrant is one of the most common and distressing symptoms of chronic and acute pancreatitis. The pancreas is located in the upper abdomen just behind the stomach. Thus, pain from pancreatitis usually begins in the upper abdominal area. In acute pancreatitis, the pain may occur with nausea and vomiting. Oily stools (steatorrhea) typically accompany chronic pancreatitis. Since upper abdominal pain from this condition is generally severe, patients may be referred to a pain management specialist for advanced care. Avoiding dietary fat may provide some relief, and narcotic pain relievers may be indicated.

Depending on the cause of pancreatitis, some patients may gain pain relief through surgical procedures. For example, if pancreatitis is caused by gallstones, removing the gallbladder can alleviate pain. Patients whose pancreatitis is the result of a bile duct obstruction may be able to have a procedure to correct this. In some cases, draining fluid from the pancreas and removing diseased pancreatic tissue may provide a degree of pain relief.

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