Causes
Causes include:
- Alcohol abuse (most common cause)
- Gallstones and other obstructions of the bile ducts
- Surgery or trauma to the pancreas
- Certain medications
- Unknown causes (approximately 15% of cases)
- Elevated blood triglyceride levels (hypertriglyceridemia)
- Infections (bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic)
- HIV infection
- Congenitally abnormal pancreas duct (pancrease divisum)
- Complication of ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)
Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
- Alcohol abuse
- Family history of pancreatitis
- Personal history of acute pancreatitis
-
Medications including:
- Estrogens
- Sulfonamides
- Tetracyclines
- Thiazides
- Pancreatic cancer
- Hyperlipidemia (excessive levels of fat in the blood)
- Hypercalcemia (increased calcium in the blood)
- Viral infections, such as mumps
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
