What are the symptoms of acute pancreatitis?
Acute pancreatitis generally starts with a pain in the upper abdomen. The pain can be severe, radiate to the back and may last for several days. Relief of pain by sitting up and bending forward is characteristic of pancreatic pain. The pain is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Other symptoms include diarrhea, bloating and fever.
The pain can become severe and is typically felt spreading through to the back. Coughing, vigorous movement, and deep breathing may worsen the pain; sitting upright and leaning forward may provide some relief. Most people feel nauseated and have to vomit, sometimes to the point of dry heaves—retching without producing any vomit. Often, even large doses of an injected opioid analgesic do not relieve pain completely. People with severe inflammation often feel and look very sick, and they frequently experience nausea and vomiting. Other signs and symptoms may include a high fever, difficulty breathing and abdominal bruises from internal bleeding. |
