The duration of pancreatitis depends on whether it is acute or chronic:

• Acute pancreatitis typically lasts a short time. Most people recover within a few days to a week, often being well enough to leave the hospital after 5 to 10 days. In mild cases, symptoms improve quickly, but in severe cases recovery can take several weeks and may involve complications requiring longer hospital stays

. Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation that usually resolves completely, allowing the pancreas to return to normal afterward

• Chronic pancreatitis is a long-term, progressive condition that does not go away and worsens over time. It causes permanent damage to the pancreas, with inflammation that comes and goes over months or years. Symptoms and pain episodes may last weeks or longer, and the condition requires ongoing management

In summary, acute pancreatitis usually lasts days to a few weeks, while chronic pancreatitis is a persistent condition lasting months to years with recurrent episodes.