This is called auto-digestion. There may be bleeding into the gland causing swelling, serious tissue damage, infection, and cysts. In more serious cases, enzymes and toxins may enter the bloodstream and seriously injure organs, such as the heart, lungs, and kidney. Intense, painful symptoms may last for 48 hours. The main symptoms of acute pancreatitis are pain in the upper abdomen or back, and nausea.
Acute pancreatitis comes on suddenly, and can vary in severity from mild to life-threatening.
Mild cases typically resolve over the course of a week or so. Severe cases may be accompanied by major complications such as infection, hemorrhage, failure of other organ systems such as lungs or kidneys, or fluid collections in the abdomen. However, large cysts that persist for more than 6 weeks are usually treated by drainage to prevent further problems such as infection or hemorrhage. In most cases of acute pancreatitis, the patient recovers completely. On physical examination, the abdomen is tender.