Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic. Acute pancreatitis occurs as one sudden episode. In acute pancreatitis the pancreas can usually return to its normal condition. Chronic pancreatitis means ongoing pancreatitis in which there is permanent damage to the pancreas. The damaged pancreas becomes less able over time to produce normal digestive enzymes and hormones.
Chronic pancreatitis occurs most commonly after one or more episodes of acute pancreatitis.
The disease develops gradually and tends to become worse. Upper abdominal pain and back pain with vomiting are the main symptoms of chronic pancreatitis. The pain is usually a constant, dull pain that gets worse when you eat food or drink alcohol. The pain may lessen when you sit up and lean forward. As the disease progresses, attacks of pain last longer and happen more often.