Acute pancreatitis history and symptoms

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Raviteja Guddeti, M.B.B.S. [2]

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History

Obtaining the right history assists in making a precise diagnosis in acute pancreatitis. The following history should be obtained from a patient presenting with acute abdominal pain:

• Onset, duration, location, radiation, aggravating and relieving factors of abdominal pain
• Alcohol abuse
• Gall stone disease
• Diabetes mellitus
• Hyperlipidemia
• Steroid abuse
• History of medication (which are known to cause pancreatitis) intake
• Autoimmune diseases like SLE
• Family history of pancreatitis, hyperlipidemia

Common Symptoms

Common symptoms include:

• Severe upper abdominal pain. The pain:
  • May be worse within minutes after eating or drinking at first, especially if foods have a high fat content
  • Becomes constant and more severe, lasting for several days
  • May be worse when lying flat on the back
  • May spread (radiate) to the back or below the left shoulder blade
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite.
• Fever / Chills
• Shock, hemodynamic instability
• Mild yellowing of the skin
• Hiccups