The pancreas is a gland that aids the digestive process by secreting digestive juices into the first part of the small intestine via a tube that is called the pancreatic duct. The digestive juices join with bile, which is produced by the liver, to digest food. The pancreas also is responsible for releasing insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. Pancreatitis is condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. In biliary pancreatitis, pancreatic duct becomes obstructed. Digestive juices that are normally released into the small intestine begin attacking the pancreatic tissue that produced them.
General Symptoms
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, signs and symptoms of pancreatitis include abdominal distension with muscle spasms. There can be tenderness in the abdomen area. Also, fever, jaundice and a rapid heartbeat are symptoms associated with acute pancreatitis.
Common Symptoms
The American Academy of Family Physicians lists symptoms that are commonly presented to physicians with patients who have acute pancreatitis. These symptoms include abdominal pain that can occur in different areas of the midsection. The pain is described as dull and constant, and the pain can lessen when the patient assumes a sitting position or a fetal position. Heavy meals or drinking binges can trigger this pain. Other common symptoms include nausea and vomiting.
Chronic Pancreatitis
If the condition of pancreatitis does not improve over time, it is called chronic pancreatitis. When chronic pancreatitis occurs, a number of symptoms can occur. Weight loss is a symptom because digestive juices are not properly reaching the intestinal tract so that food can be digested. This can occur even though eating habits are unchanged. Diarrhea and oily stools are two more symptoms of chronic pancreatitis. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse also lists dehydration and low blood pressure as symptoms of pancreatitis.
