Travis Barker, Blink-182 drummer and recent husband to Kourtney Kardashian, was rushed to hospital on June 29 following complaints of severe abdominal pain.
The musician tweeted “God save me” due to the horrendous pain he was in and was later diagnosed with pancreatitis.
Also taking to social media, Barker’s daughter Alabama posted on her Instagram : “Please send your prayers.”
In a since-deleted TikTok, Barker could be seen with a brace around his left arm.
The 46-year-old musician’s pain was so severe that he had to be wheeled into the hospital on a stretcher.
What is pancreatitis, who is at risk and what are the common warning signs to spot?
What is pancreatitis?
For Barker, doctors believe his severe pancreatitis was brought on by his recent colonoscopy.
Colonoscopies remain essential for preventing colon cancer, diagnosing cancer and other diseases, and saving lives.
While acute pancreatitis is typically caused by gallstones (hardened deposits in the gallbladder), it can, in very rare cases, result from even a routine colonoscopy.
Experts stress, however, that it's still far too early in Barker's case to directly link the screening procedure to his reported pancreatitis.
Who's at risk of pancreatitis?
People with chronic pancreatitis are usually men aged between 30 and 40.
Smokers are on average three times more likely to develop chronic pancreatitis, compared with non-smokers.
People suffering with chronic stress are also at risk for developing pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is an inflammation in the pancreas.
It happens when digestive juices or enzymes attack the pancreas, which lies behind the stomach on the left side of the belly.
Pancreatitis can occur acutely — meaning it appears suddenly and lasts for days.
Some people develop chronic pancreatitis, which flares over many years.
Symptoms of acute pancreatitis include:
- Upper abdominal pain
- Abdominal pain that radiates to your back
- Tenderness when touching the abdomen
- Fever
- Rapid pulse
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis include:
- Upper abdominal pain
- Abdominal pain that feels worse after eating
- Losing weight without trying
- Oily, smelly stools (steatorrhea).
