Pancreatitis-Symptoms The main symptom of sudden (acute) pancreatitis is sudden moderate to severe pain in the upper area of the belly (abdomen). Sometimes the pain is mild. But the pain may feel as though it bores through the abdomen to the back. Sitting up or leaning forward sometimes reduces the pain. Other symptoms of an attack of pancreatitis are:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Fever.
• Fast heart rate.
• Sweating.
• Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice).
• Shock.

Long-term (chronic) pancreatitis also causes pain in the upper abdomen.

Other conditions that have similar symptoms include bowel obstruction, appendicitis, cholecystitis, peptic ulcer disease, and diverticulitis.

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