Pancreatitis, acute
Acute pancreatitis is a serious condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed over a short period of time.
The main symptom of acute pancreatitis is a severe, dull pain around the top of your stomach that develops suddenly.
Most cases of acute pancreatitis are closely linked to gallstones and alcohol consumption, although the exact cause is not always clear.
Due to the risk of serious complications, most cases of acute pancreatitis are diagnosed in hospital.
There's no specific treatment for acute pancreatitis, but for most people the condition gets better on its own within a week.
Although most people with acute pancreatitis recover without experiencing further problems, severe cases can have serious complications.
As acute pancreatitis is often caused by gallstones or excessive alcohol consumption, a healthy lifestyle can reduce your chances of developing the condition.