The pancreas has both exocrine and endocrine functions. Pancreatitis is an inflammatory disorder of the pancreas that occurs when digestive enzymes activate prematurely within the pancreas and begin digesting the pancreas itself. There are two main types - acute pancreatitis which is a sudden short-term inflammation and chronic pancreatitis which is long-lasting damage after repeated acute attacks. Causes include gallstones, alcohol use, genetic mutations, trauma and certain drugs. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain that is worse with eating and improves with sitting forward. The pathophysiology involves premature enzyme activation leading to autodigestion and an inflammatory response within the pancreas.