Signs of pancreatitis
Disease description:
Recently, I have been experiencing intermittent abdominal pain and feel nauseous with an urge to vomit. May I ask, what are the signs and symptoms of pancreatitis?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
The main signs of pancreatitis include:
1. Abdominal tenderness: During palpation, patients may experience significant tenderness in the upper abdomen.
2. Abdominal pain: This is the most common symptom. The pain typically starts in the upper abdomen and may radiate to the back. In acute pancreatitis, the pain can be sudden and severe, whereas in chronic pancreatitis, it may be persistent or intermittent.
3. Nausea and vomiting: In the early stages of pancreatitis, patients often experience nausea and vomiting, and the abdominal pain may not be relieved after vomiting.
4. Jaundice: Some patients with pancreatitis may develop jaundice, which can be caused by an impacted bile duct stone or an enlarged pancreatic head compressing the common bile duct.
5. Fever: Patients, especially those with acute pancreatitis, may develop high fever.
6. Peritoneal irritation signs: These are characterized by abdominal tenderness, rebound tenderness, and muscle rigidity, which are particularly evident in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.
Not all of these signs will appear in every patient, and the specific manifestations may vary depending on individual differences and the severity of the condition.
