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Acute pancreatitis

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goodtoknow says: Pancreatitis causes agonizing stomach pain and vomiting. It happens when the pancreas becomes inflamed and there are two different types; acute which comes on very quickly but leaves no permanent damage and chronic which is persistent but can come on gradually and causes scarring. Alcohol is a main cause of both, although gallstones are often to blame for acute pancreatitis, and you'll be advised to stop drinking for good. If you don't, your life could be cut short. If strong painkillers don't work, you may be offered surgery.

For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of pancreatitis from patient.co.uk, read on.

Acute pancreatitis means inflammation of the pancreas that develops quickly. The main symptom is abdominal pain. It usually settles in a few days but sometimes it becomes severe and very serious. The most common causes of acute pancreatitis are gallstones and drinking a lot of alcohol.

Next: What is the pancreas?

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robert watson, over 2 years

I had pancreatitis in July 1979. I was 39 at the time and was surprised by the number of people who were admitted with it, more so the patients who died. I drank about an average can of lager a week and had no gallstones. The doctors could only surmise I had picked up an infection. In 1987 I became diabetic and am now on two insulin injections a day. My biggest problem is glaucoma and arthritis

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