When your pancreas gets inflamed, you have pancreatitis. The pancreas is an organ behind the stomach. It makes enzymes that help break down food. It also makes insulin. Insulin controls the sugar in your blood.
Pancreatitis can happen all at once or over time.
Pancreatitis that happens suddenly is called acute pancreatitis. We don't completely understand why it happens. Many people who get pancreatitis have gallstones. Alcohol abuse can also lead to this problem. A stomach ulcer or injury is another possible cause.