Pancreatitis: patient education series – understanding trauma and emergency general surgery conditions

The pancreas is an organ located in the upper part of your belly, or abdomen, as shown in figure 1. Pancreatitis means inflammation, which is swelling and irritation. When the pancreas becomes irritated, it can cause pain and make it harder for your body to break down food properly. The irritation can happen quickly (which is called acute pancreatitis) or it can occur over a longer time (which is called chronic pancreatitis).