October 17, 2024 Michelle Schmanski

What Causes Pancreatitis? Understanding Triggers and Risk Factors

The pancreas is a large gland in the upper abdomen just behind the stomach. The pancreas helps with digestion by secreting enzymes into the small intestine that help break down food. It also regulates blood sugar by releasing insulin into the bloodstream. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, it is called pancreatitis. Pancreatitis causes abdominal pain and digestive changes and can quickly become a serious condition.

Acute Pancreatitis

Most people who develop pancreatitis experience an acute form of the illness. Acute pancreatitis comes on suddenly and typically resolves in a few days with proper treatment. However, in some cases, pancreatitis can become severe and lead to life-threatening organ damage, like kidney and lung failure. The treatment for acute pancreatitis consists of IV fluids and pain management.

Common symptoms of acute pancreatitis include:

• Severe abdominal pain in the upper abdomen that extends into the back and shoulders
• Abdominal tenderness
• Yellowing of the skin
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever

Chronic Pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, occurs after many months or years of inflammation of the pancreas. It often leads to permanent damage and scarring. It is commonly seen in people who drink alcohol excessively, but it can also occur in other people. Chronic pancreatitis is treated by avoiding alcohol, changing one’s diet, managing pain, and taking enzymes to help improve digestion.

Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis include:

• Pain in the upper abdomen
• Indigestion
• Pain in the stomach that worsens with eating
• Weight loss
• Steatorrhea (oily, smelly stools)
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes
• Diabetes

What Causes Pancreatitis?

Here are some of the most common causes and risk factors that can lead to pancreatitis.

1. Excessive Alcohol Use: Drinking an excessive amount of alcohol can be toxic to the pancreas, which results in cell damage and inflammation within the organ. People who drink alcohol to excess can develop repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis that cause long-term damage and complications.
2. Cigarette Smoking: The nicotine and tar found in cigarettes is damaging to all your body organs, including the pancreas. People who smoke are at greater risk of developing pancreatitis when compared to nonsmokers.
3. Obesity: Being overweight is associated with excessive inflammation within the body. Therefore, people who are obese have an increased risk of developing pancreatitis.
4. History of Diabetes: Diabetes causes insulin resistance in the body and can lead to inflammation in the pancreas, making people with diabetes more likely to develop pancreatitis.
5. Family History of Pancreatitis: People with a family history of pancreatitis may be more likely to develop the condition due to the potential for a pancreatitis-causing gene mutation.
6. High Levels of Triglycerides: Triglycerides, a type of fat found in the body, usually are safely metabolized without complication. When triglyceride levels become significantly elevated, they release toxic free fatty acids into the pancreas, leading to damage and inflammation.
7. Taking A GLP-1: Although the exact mechanism is not entirely understood, taking a GLP-1 medication like semaglutide or tripeptide can increase the risk of pancreatitis.

When to See A Doctor

Pancreatitis can quickly become a serious issue, so it is essential to seek care from an experienced gastroenterologist as soon as you notice symptoms. If you have risk factors for developing acute or chronic pancreatitis, partnering with a doctor can help provide you with strategies to prevent it and help you better understand the symptoms to look out for. Knowing what causes pancreatitis is the first step, but seeing a doctor is the next most important thing you can do for your health.

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Related:

• 7 GI Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
• Pancreatic Cancer Rates on the Rise Among Women: A Cause for Concern
• Stomach Pain: When Is It Serious?