The main symptom of pancreatitis is abdominal pain felt in the upper left side or middle of the abdomen.

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

People with acute pancreatitis often look ill and have a fever, nausea, vomiting, and sweating.

Other symptoms that may occur with this disease include:

• Clay-colored stools
• Gaseous abdominal fullness
• Hiccups
• Indigestion
• Mild yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• Skin rash or sore (lesion)
• Swollen abdomen

The doctor will perform a physical exam, which may show that you have:

• Abdominal tenderness or lump (mass)
• Fever
• Low blood pressure
• Rapid heart rate
• Rapid breathing (respiratory) rate

Laboratory tests will be done. Tests that show the release of pancreatic enzymes include:

• Increased blood amylase level
• Increased serum blood lipase level
• Increase urine amylase level

Other blood tests that can help diagnose pancreatitis or its complications include:

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Comprehensive metabolic panel

Imaging tests that can show inflammation of the pancreas include:

• Abdominal CT scan
• Abdominal MRI
• Abdominal ultrasound