Causes of pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, a gland behind the stomach that makes digestive enzymes and insulin. It happens when digestive enzymes become active inside the pancreas and begin to damage it. The two most common causes are gallstones and alcohol.

Main causes of acute pancreatitis

• Gallstones: a stone blocks the common channel (bile duct) and backs up pancreatic juice. This is the leading cause in many countries.
• Alcohol: heavy or binge drinking
• High triglycerides: very high blood fat levels, often above 1000 mg/dL
• Medicines: some drugs, including certain diuretics, steroids, valproate and some antiretrovirals
• After a procedure: ERCP, a scan with a scope
• Injury to the abdomen
• Infections: mumps, some viral and parasitic infections
• High calcium from parathyroid disease
• Scorpion sting in some regions
• Unknown (idiopathic): in about 1 in 5 cases

Causes of chronic pancreatitis

• Long-term alcohol use
• Smoking
• Genetic changes
• Repeated acute attacks
• Tropical (calcific) pancreatitis seen in parts of South India
• Autoimmune pancreatitis

Ayurvedic view

Ayurveda would describe severe upper abdominal pain and digestive disturbance under Pitta and Vata aggravation, and Agni imbalance with heavy, oily food and alcohol. This is an interpretive framework and not an explanation of the disease.

See a doctor if you have repeated upper belly pain, gallstones, or very high triglycerides.

Remember

Gallstones and alcohol cause most cases. Treating the cause lowers the chance of another attack.