Acute pancreatitis comes on suddenly when digestive enzymes produced in the pancreas remain there and become active irritating and inflamming delicate pancreatic tissues. Normally digestive enzymes are transported to the duodenum and become active there. The symptoms of the pancreatitis includes, pain in the upper abdomen that may last for a few days. This pain may reach to the back or other areas. It may be sudden and intense or begin as mild pain that gets worse when the food is eaten. Other symptoms may include swollen and tender abdomen, nausea, vomiting, fever and rapid pulse. The severe cases may cause dehydration and low blood pressure.