Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. It is most often caused by
alcohol abuse. Symptoms of acute pancreatitis can include, but are not limited to, moderate to severe abdominal pain accompanied by
nausea, fever, reduced mental acuteness, abdominal swelling, and fluctuations in
blood pressure.
Chronic pancreatitis may present with similar symptoms as the acute variety. Typically, chronic pancreatitis symptoms are not as intense. However, the symptoms may last for an extended period of time. Eventually, one of the pancreas' primary functions, insulin production, may cease. In such an event the patient may develop
diabetes. In severe cases pancreatitis can be fatal.
See Also
- Digestive Disorders: Overview
- Product Liability - Food & Restaurant - Alcoholic Beverages Overview
- Clozaril / Clozapine
- Depacon / Valproate Sodium
- Dursban / Baygon / Dragnet
- Pentamidine: Overview
- Risperdal / Risperidone
- Zyprexa / Olanzapine