What is pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, the organ behind the stomach that helps digest food and regulate blood sugar. It can be triggered by gallstones, heavy alcohol use, certain medications, or high triglyceride levels, and ranges from mild to life-threatening.
Because pancreatitis pain can mimic other abdominal conditions, on-site lab testing (checking lipase and amylase levels) combined with CT or ultrasound imaging is the fastest way to confirm the diagnosis.
Pancreatitis warning signs.
Come in if you have—
- —Severe upper abdominal pain radiating to the back
- —Pain with persistent vomiting
- —Fever with abdominal pain
- —A rapid heartbeat or difficulty breathing
- —A history of gallstones with new severe pain
In severe pain right now?
Walk in — most patients are seen within minutes.
Treatment we offer.
Lipase & amylase testing
On-site lab work confirms the diagnosis quickly.
CT or ultrasound imaging
Checks for gallstones and assesses severity.
IV fluids
A cornerstone of early pancreatitis treatment.
IV pain management
Fast relief from severe abdominal pain.
Coordinated hospital transfer
For severe cases needing inpatient monitoring or procedures.
Why ER Of Fort Worth for pancreatitis.
Fast diagnosis
On-site lab and imaging confirm pancreatitis the same visit.
Board-certified ER physicians
Experienced in managing acute pancreatitis.
Full diagnostics on-site
CT, ultrasound and lab all in one building.
Coordinated transfer if needed
For severe cases requiring inpatient care.
Frequently asked questions.
What causes pancreatitis?
The most common causes are gallstones and heavy alcohol use, though certain medications, high triglycerides and other factors can also trigger it.
How is pancreatitis diagnosed?
We check lipase and amylase levels with an on-site blood test and use CT or ultrasound imaging to look for gallstones and assess the pancreas — usually giving us an answer the same visit.
Is pancreatitis a medical emergency?
It can be. Mild cases are treated with fluids and pain control, but severe pancreatitis can lead to serious complications and may require hospital admission.
Will I need to be admitted to the hospital?
It depends on severity. Mild cases may be managed with fluids and monitoring, while more severe cases often need inpatient care, which we coordinate directly.
Can pancreatitis happen more than once?
Yes, especially if the underlying cause (like gallstones or alcohol use) isn't addressed. We can help guide you toward appropriate follow-up care to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Care across North Texas.
We serve patients from Fort Worth and surrounding communities including:
Related care worth knowing about.
Pancreatitis is one of several causes of severe abdominal pain we evaluate, alongside broader GI emergencies. Want to know who's on shift? meet our board-certified ER physicians, and you can save time with online check-in.