Alcohol intake is the most common cause of pancreatitis among men and gallstones the most common among women. About 80 percent of people hospitalized for acute pancreatitis have mild disease and are treated with mild pain medications and no food by mouth. Within an average of seven days, most patients resume their normal diet. Symptoms of Acute Pancreatitis Acute pancreatitis can present with mild or severe pain that is sudden in onset, radiates from the upper abdomen through the back and can last for hours to days. Bending forward may help control the pain.
Eating can cause the severity of the pain to increase.
The doctor will then feel the abdomen to detect the spot of pain. Causes of Acute Pancreatitis Alcohol Alcohol is believed to be irritating to the pancreas both directly in the intestine and in the blood. Gallstones Gallstones, typically cholesterol gallstones, block the flow of the pancreatic ducts causing irritation. Some prescription drugs have been associated with pancreatitis. Trauma Accidents in which a blow to the abdomen is suffered may cause pancreatitis.