Pancreatitis is a condition that occurs when the pancreas, an organ behind the stomach, becomes inflamed. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes needed to break down food. It also makes insulin, which regulates the level of glucose in the blood. The digestive enzymes flow into the small intestine. Insulin is released into the blood.
Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic.
Acute pancreatitis occurs as one sudden episode. After acute pancreatitis the pancreas usually returns to its normal condition. Chronic pancreatitis means ongoing pancreatitis in which there is permanent damage to the pancreas. The cause of acute pancreatitis is not completely understood. About half of the people who have pancreatitis have gallstones.