- Acute pancreatitis
- Sudden inflammation. Severe upper abdominal pain through to the back, with vomiting.
- Common causes
- Gallstones and alcohol. Also very high triglycerides, some medicines, and procedures.
- Where to go first
- A hospital emergency department, not a next-week clinic slot.
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Lasting damage, repeated pain, and sometimes oily stools or diabetes.
The pancreas sits deep in the upper abdomen and makes enzymes that digest food, plus insulin. When those enzymes start irritating the pancreas itself, the pain is hard to mistake and dangerous to rename as gas. Acute pancreatitis is a hospital illness. This page explains the warning signs, the two causes doctors look for first, and what follow-up with a gastroenterologist in Secunderabad is for after the emergency has been treated.
What are the warning signs of acute pancreatitis?
- Severe, constant pain in the upper abdomen
- Pain that goes through to the back
- Nausea and repeated vomiting
- Pain that is worse after trying to eat or drink
- A tender upper abdomen, sometimes with fever
People often try an antacid first because the pain sits near the stomach. If the pain is severe, constant, and paired with vomiting, go to emergency care. Blood tests for pancreatic enzymes, and a scan when needed, are how the diagnosis is confirmed. Do not eat a large meal “to test it” on the way.
What causes pancreatitis?
| Cause | Why it matters for the next step |
|---|---|
| Gallstones | A blocked shared duct can inflame the pancreas. The stone problem still needs a plan after the attack. See the gallstone guide. |
| Alcohol | A binge or long-term heavy use can trigger attacks. Stopping alcohol is part of preventing the next one. |
| Very high triglycerides, medicines, or a recent procedure | These are less common and are found from the history and blood tests. |
What does hospital care do?
In hospital the priorities are fluids, pain control, finding the cause, and watching for complications. Food is restarted when the team says it is safe. Antibiotics are not automatic. A gastroenterologist may be asked to clear a bile-duct stone if one is blocking drainage. The pancreatitis service page describes how follow-up is organised once the acute danger has passed. Recovery advice is personal: it depends on the cause and on whether the pancreas has been damaged before.
How is chronic pancreatitis different?
Chronic pancreatitis is repeated or lasting inflammation that scars the gland. Pain can be daily or come in spells. Fat is poorly digested, so stools may look oily and difficult to flush, and weight can fall. Diabetes can appear because insulin production drops. Treatment is specialist-led: pain strategies, enzymes when they are indicated, alcohol and tobacco cessation, and diabetes care. It is not a one-week tablet course.
If you have had one attack, ask what the cause was before you leave hospital. “Pancreatitis” without a cause listed is an incomplete discharge. Gallstones and alcohol change what you do next.
When should you see a gastroenterologist after the attack?
See one if the cause is still unclear, if gallstones were found, if pain returns, or if stools have become oily and weight is falling. Dr Ajay Shesherao Shinde reviews these questions at Medicover Hospital, Secunderabad. For pain that is severe today, with vomiting, use emergency services first. For a planned review, call +91 98901 05648.
Common questions
What does pancreatitis pain feel like?
Acute pancreatitis pain is usually severe and constant in the upper abdomen, often spreading straight through to the back. It comes with nausea or vomiting and feels worse after eating. It is not a few minutes of burning that antacid fully clears.
Can one heavy drinking weekend cause pancreatitis?
A heavy drinking episode can trigger acute pancreatitis in some people. Long-term heavy alcohol use is a major cause of repeated and chronic pancreatitis. The safe step during severe pain is the hospital, not waiting to see if the pain was only acidity.
How do gallstones cause pancreatitis?
A stone can pass from the gallbladder and block the shared opening that also drains the pancreas. Enzymes then irritate the pancreas. Jaundice and known gallstones make this cause more likely. Stone treatment is planned once the person is stable.
Is chronic pancreatitis the same as one acute attack?
No. An acute attack is a sudden illness that can fully settle if the cause is dealt with. Chronic pancreatitis means lasting damage, with repeated pain and, over time, trouble digesting fat or controlling blood sugar. Follow-up is long term.
Who treats pancreatitis in Secunderabad?
Severe acute pain needs the emergency hospital first. Dr Ajay Shesherao Shinde, a gastroenterologist at Medicover Hospital, Secunderabad, assesses the cause, including gallstones, and follows recovery and chronic pancreatitis. Call +91 98901 05648 for non-emergency review.
Related reading from the clinic
This article is general education from the clinic of Dr Ajay Shesherao Shinde in Secunderabad, Hyderabad. It does not diagnose a condition or replace a personal consultation. Seek urgent care for severe pain, vomiting blood, black stools, chest pain, or confusion with jaundice.