Pancreatitis is caused by the pancreas becoming inflamed, with Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker reportedly rushed to hospital with the condition earlier this week. The condition can be severe and can have a number of causes including alcohol consumption and gallstones.
There are two main types of pancreatitis, both involving inflammation of the pancreas. There is acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis which are slightly different conditions with different signs and symptoms.
It tends to affect people in middle-age, although it can affect anyone. Chronic pancreatitis, unlike acute pancreatitis, cannot be directly treated and can seriously affect a person's quality of life due to the pain it causes, while acute pancreatitis tends to subside within a week, although one in five cases can result in life-threatening complications.
