Normally the pancreas does not cause us much trouble, but when it does, the symptoms can be quite bothersome and, in some cases, fatal. Pancreatitis is the most common pancreatic condition, categorized as either acute and chronic. In acute pancreatitis the organ suddenly becomes swollen and releases digestive juices into the bloodstream. After an acute attack a patient may either completely recover or have several more episodes, which can lead to chronic pancreatitis. This is characterized by persistent abdominal pain, intolerance of food and sometimes disabling nausea diarrhoea, weight loss. Perhaps the most feared condition is pancreatic cancer, since it is almost always fatal.