Common Diseases of the Pancreas Pancreatitis is an inflammation
of the pancreas. It is caused when the digestive enzymes from
the exocrine pancreas become activated inside of the pancreas,
instead of in the duodenum, and start "digesting" the pancreas
itself. It usually presents with abdominal pain and can cause
nausea and vomiting. - Acute pancreatitis may be a single or a
recurring event, and it usually occurs suddenly. The abdominal
pain with acute pancreatitis is often severe. Secretions can
back up in the pancreas and cause permanent damage in just a few
hours. Acute pancreatitis often presents with raised levels of
pancreatic enzymes in the blood. These enzymes can circulate to
other body organs, causing shock and organ failure. Acute
pancreatitis can lead to internal bleeding and infection and can
be life-threatening. The most common cause of acute pancreatitis
is blockage of the pancreatic duct (obstruction), usually due to
gallstones and sometimes due to particles (sometimes tiny
gallstones) in bile