If you have ever experienced abdominal or chest pain before, you know how scary it can feel! Many different conditions can be responsible for this type of pain, and some of them can be really serious.

One reason for abdominal pain could be pancreatitis. When your pancreas becomes irritated by something, it becomes inflamed and cannot function normally.

We can help diagnose what your abdominal pain is related to! Check out AFC Urgent Care Easley’s latest blog all about pancreatitis below.

What Does Your Pancreas Do?

We all have a pancreas! It is a long, thin flat gland that sits behind your stomach and in front of your spine. It functions to help break down the food you eat to aid in digestion, and it helps regulate your blood sugar.

When your pancreas becomes irritated somehow, it can swell up and become inflamed. Pancreatitis can either be acute, where your symptoms appear suddenly and severely, or it can be chronic, where your symptoms gradually set in after years of pancreas issues.

Red Flags for Pancreatitis

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

How Did I Get Pancreatitis?

Two of the most common causes of pancreatitis are related to alcohol abuse and gallstones. When you have gallstones, they can grow to block the bile duct that connects your gallbladder to your pancreas. This blockage can cause pancreatitis and can be dangerous if it goes untreated for a long period of time.

Abuse of alcohol can also cause pancreatitis. While most cases that are due to alcohol are chronic, developing over years of alcohol abuse, single periods of heavy drinking can also cause acute flare-ups. In either case, if you are in significant pain, come see us! We can help diagnose your pain and help you take the necessary followup steps.

Avoiding Future Pancreatitis Issues

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

If you are experiencing abdominal pain, come see us at AFC Urgent Care Easley for an initial evaluation.