Top Ten Serious Causes of Abdominal Pain

Gradual or sudden pain felt in the upper abdomen, that may extend to the back, is an early warning sign of acute pancreatitis. It is inflammation of the pancreas, which is a large gland located behind the stomach and adjacent to the duodenum. Gallstones that pass through the common bile duct are the most common cause of acute pancreatitis. The pain may be mild at first and feel worse after eating. Most often, the pain is severe, constant and lasts for several days. With proper treatment, inflammation resolves in a few days. However, acute pancreatitis can be a life-threatening illness with serious complications such as infection and kidney failure.