Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, a gland that takes
part both in the digestive and the metabolic process. It is
located behind the stomach and close to the duodenum (or upper
small intestine). The pancreas produces the metabolic hormones
glucagon and insulin as well as other hormones and digestive
enzymes. Pancreatitis occurs when the digestive enzymes are
activated too early, in the pancreas itself rather than in the
small intestine where activation normally happens. The enzymes
then attack the pancreas and begin to eat away it. This
condition can either be acute (appearing suddenly) or chronic
(developing more slowly over a long period of time). Mild acute
cases may improve on their own without treatment, while severe
and chronic cases will require medical care to avoid developing
serious and sometimes fatal complications such as destruction of
the pancreas and nearby tissues. Acute pancreatitis is generally
accompanied by pain in the upper abdomen that may spread to the
back and chest. The pai