What Is Pancreatitis, the Condition That Lead to Comedian Kevin Barnett’s Death?

Fans of comedian Kevin Barnett were shocked when news broke that the 32-year-old died suddenly while on vacation in Mexico. Now, the results of his autopsy are in, and it appears the Rel co-creator died of “non traumatic hemorrhage, caused by pancreatitis,” the Forensic Medical Service of Tijuana said in a statement to E! News. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, a large gland that sits behind your stomach. Your pancreas has two main jobs:

• To make insulin, a hormone that regulates the amount of glucose in your blood
• To make digestive juices (enzymes) to help you digest food

In an interview with Self Magazine, Dr. Anton Bilchik explained that complications of chronic pancreatitis can be fatal. 

“The two most common causes [of pancreatitis] are related to alcohol and gallstones,” Dr. Bilchik says.

To hear more from Dr. Bilchik on the causes and effects of pancreatitis, please read the full article at Self Magazine.

Image credit via Improv