Fluids are given through a drip. Most importantly painkillers are given. Patients usually recover quickly from a mild attack of acute pancreatitis. It is important to find and treat the cause of the disease. If the cause is gallstones then they can be removed either by ERCP or by keyhole surgery to remove the gallbladder.
Moderate disease is treated in a similar way to mild disease.
Sometimes a tube is put into the patient's stomach through the nose. This allows fluid and gas to be removed from the digestive system. Antibiotics are sometimes given to prevent the pancreas getting infected Severe disease usually needs treatment in intensive care, for the treatment of lung, heart or kidney failure. Patients with mild disease can suffer from further attacks if the cause is not found and treated Patients who recover from moderate or severe disease may develop pseudocysts or abscesses Occasionally patients who recover from a severe attack of acute pancreatitis can develop diabetes and may also be unable to digest and absorb food properly. If the cause of the attack is removed you probably will not have any more problems.