Pancreatitis means inflammation of the pancreas. In some cases in some cases it maybe rather mild, but in others very severe. Most pancreatitis seems to be related some condition involving the bile ducts leading from the liver. A stone from the gallbladder may block the mouth of the pancreatic duct and cause pancreatitis. It is surprising how may of these people are alcoholics. Others may have suffered injuries, and still others have pancreatitis because of some peptic ulcer penetrating into pancreas from the stomach or duodenum. In a few cases the pancreatitis may follow some infectious disease, such as mumps.

Patients with pancreatitis usually complain of sudden pains in the upper part of the abdomen. These may be steady and severe, but at time also dull and cramp-like. The patient may have fever from 100° to 102°F., as well as tenderness in the upper abdomen, and even jaundice if the bile ducts have been partially or completely blocked.

Many of these cases come to surgery simply because the diagnosis has not been confirmed. The serum amylase test is used to differentiate this condition from other similar problems within the abdomen.

Pancreatitis Treatment will vary according to the seriousness of the condition. During the acute stage the patient is feed intravenously. Later he may take some solid food, but only in small quantities and without any mixtures. He should not take alcohol in any form, for this may only aggravate the condition. From henceforth he must live on a simple program, avoiding all stress as far as possible.