Causes of Pancreatitis: An Overview
Pancreatitis can have many causes. However, the two most common causes of pancreatitis (by far) are gallstones and alcoholism.
Causes of Acute Pancreatitis
In the majority of cases, acute pancreatitis is usually caused by gallstones or by drinking too much alcohol, but these aren't the only causes. Less common causes of acute pancreatitis include:
- Trauma to the pancreas
- Certain medications (such as corticosteroids, azathioprine, some diuretics, 5-aminosalicylic acid, estrogen, and valproic acid)
- Congenital conditions (such as pancreas divisum)
- Hereditary conditions
- High fat levels in the blood (hyperlipidemia or hypertriglyceridemia)
- High levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia)
- Cystic fibrosis complications
- Viral infections (such as mumps)
- Pancreatic or bile duct surgery
- Electrolyte problems.
In about 15 percent of acute pancreatitis cases, the cause is unknown.
Causes of Chronic Pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis is generally caused by anything that results in repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis. While common, alcoholism is not the only cause of chronic pancreatitis. The main causes of chronic pancreatitis are:
- Alcoholism
- Blocked or narrowed pancreatic duct (due to trauma or the formation of pseudocysts)
- Heredity
- Unknown cause (idiopathic).
Other less common causes of chronic pancreatitis are:
- Congenital conditions (such as pancreas divisum)
- Cystic fibrosis
- High levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia)
- High levels of blood fats (hyperlipidemia or hypertriglyceridemia)
- Some drugs
- Certain autoimmune conditions.
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