There are many conditions and illnesses that cause abdominal pain. While some are minor issues like indigestion or a stomach bug, some can be serious and even life-threatening. This is why it is important to keep an eye on your symptoms and seek medical care if you suspect a problem.

One common cause for abdominal pain is pancreatitis! This condition affects the way your pancreas functions and can cause many serious issues in your body. Our AFC Urgent Care Powdersville team explains what symptoms to watch for regarding pancreatitis, so read on.

How Do You Get Pancreatitis?

We all have a pancreas! This organ helps break down and digest food and also has an important role in controlling our blood sugar levels. Because of this, it is sensitive to the things we consume on a daily basis. If your pancreas becomes irritated by something, it could swell up and fail to function the way it should.

A variety of things could cause pancreatitis, including gallstones and heavy alcohol use. Gallstones can grow in your gallbladder and if they get large enough, they can block off the ducts that connect your gallbladder to your pancreas. If bile cannot transfer between these two organs, pancreatitis can occur. It can also appear due to chronic alcohol abuse as it can damage your pancreas’ function over time.

Signs You Have Pancreatitis

• Severe upper abdominal pain
• Pain that radiates to your back
• Fever
• Tenderness when touching the abdomen

What Do I Need to Do if I Have Pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis always needs to be taken seriously. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, seek medical attention quickly. Many cases require a hospital stay to recover from and ensure you don’t develop serious complications. Failure to treat pancreatitis can lead to a life-threatening infection, kidney failure or pancreatic cancer.

Once you are released from the hospital, your medical care team will develop a plan with you to adopt some lifestyle changes. Reducing your alcohol intake, cleaning up your diet and exercising more often can all help you avoid another bout of pancreatitis.

Prevent Pancreatitis Naturally

• Reduce your alcohol intake.
• Quit smoking.
• Manage diabetes.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle with diet and exercise.

Abdominal pain should always be taken seriously. Come see us at AFC Urgent Care Powdersville for an initial evaluation.