What is Pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis is a disease in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. The pancreas is a long, flattened, pear-shaped organ located behind the stomach. It makes digestive enzymes and hormones including insulin. In pancreatitis, the digestive enzymes attack the tissue that produces them.
Acute pancreatitis-occurs suddenly, with severe upper abdominal pain (This can be a serious, life-threatening illness if not treated.)
Chronic pancreatitis-a progressive disorder that can destroy the pancreas