The most common symptom of acute pancreatitis is the sudden onset of a severe dull pain in the centre of your upper abdomen, around the top of your stomach.
The pain of acute pancreatitis often gets steadily worse until it reaches a constant ache. The ache may travel from your abdomen and along your back and may feel worse after you have eaten. Leaning forward or curling into a ball may help to relieve the pain.
If you have acute pancreatitis that is caused by gallstones, the pain often develops after eating a large meal. If the condition is caused by alcohol, the pain often develops 6 to 12 hours after a drinking a significant amount of alcohol.
Other symptoms
Other symptoms of acute pancreatitis can include:
- nausea (feeling sick)
- vomiting (being sick)
- diarrhoea
- loss of appetite
- a high temperature (fever) of 38°C (100.4°F) or above
- tenderness of the abdomen and, less commonly
- yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice)
When to seek medical advice
You should contact your GP immediately if you suddenly develop severe abdominal pain. If this is not possible, telephone NHS Direct or your local out-of-hours service for advice.
