As the disease progresses, attacks of pain last longer and happen more often. Attacks may last a few hours or as long as several weeks. Marked weight loss is another common symptom. As a large area of the pancreas becomes damaged, it produces fewer digestive enzymes for the intestines. As a result, food and nutrients are poorly absorbed.
Bowel movements become frequent and foul smelling because of problems with fat absorption.
Your health care provider will ask about your medical history, particularly about abdominal pain and how much alcohol you drink. If your pancreatitis is severe, you may need to not eat or drink for a few days. In this case you will stay in the hospital so you can be given fluids through your veins. You may need insulin to control your blood sugar if the pancreas is not producing enough insulin. You may also need enzyme pills to replace the digestive enzymes that the pancreas may not be able to make or get into the intestine because of swelling.