How is pancreatitis caused?

Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
Updated on May 19, 2025
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Pancreatitis is also a common disease in clinical practice, especially acute pancreatitis. There are many causes of acute pancreatitis. From a definitional perspective, it refers to the inflammatory changes in the pancreas caused by various reasons. For Chinese people, some common causes include biliary tract stones, cholelithiasis, etc., as well as excessive eating and drinking, hyperlipidemia, and alcohol consumption. The symptoms of pancreatitis include upper abdominal pain or pain in the waist and back, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, etc. The diagnostic criteria for acute pancreatitis include typical abdominal pain, abnormal serum and urinary amylase levels, and abnormalities found in abdominal ultrasound or abdominal CT scans. If the aforementioned three criteria are met, pancreatitis can be diagnosed. The treatment plan for pancreatitis varies depending on the cause. For example, lipid lowering treatment is recommended for hyperlipidemia-induced cases, and surgical intervention is suggested for biliary tract stones.

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Written by Wei Shi Liang
Intensive Care Unit
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Severe pancreatitis complications

Complications of severe pancreatitis primarily include: 1. Acute peripancreatic fluid collection and interstitial edematous pancreatitis, where fluid accumulates around the pancreas without necrosis. This can be diagnosed with enhanced CT. 2. Pancreatic pseudocysts, characterized by fluid encapsulated by a clearly defined inflammatory cyst wall around the pancreas, with no or minimal necrosis, commonly occurring around four weeks after an episode of interstitial edematous pancreatitis. 3. Accumulation of acute necrotic material, involving necrotic tissue and liquids from necrotizing pancreatitis, including the parenchyma and peripancreatic tissues, also diagnosable through enhanced CT. 4. Encapsulated necrosis, observable as a clearly defined inflammatory encapsulation of the pancreas and peripancreatic tissues, commonly occurring four weeks post an episode of necrotizing pancreatitis.

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Written by Wei Shi Liang
Intensive Care Unit
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Severe pancreatitis is what disease

Acute severe pancreatitis is a disease caused by various etiologies, characterized by local necrosis, inflammation, and infection of the pancreas, accompanied by systemic inflammatory response and persistent organ failure. The current mortality rate is still as high as 17%. The course of acute severe pancreatitis can generally be divided into three periods. First, the acute response period, occurring up to about two weeks after onset, is characterized by a systemic inflammatory response. Second, the systemic infection period, from two weeks to about two months, is characterized by infection of pancreatic or peripancreatic necrosis. Third, the residual infection period, occurring two to three months later, where the main clinical manifestation is systemic malnutrition.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Is it okay to drink alcohol occasionally with pancreatitis?

Patients with pancreatitis absolutely must not drink alcohol, as it can lead to malnutrition and cause damage to organs such as the liver and pancreas, thereby reducing the patient's immunity. Even a single drinking session can provoke an episode of acute pancreatitis. Therefore, patients with pancreatitis must decidedly abstain from alcohol. Additionally, they should avoid overeating, as it can disturb gastrointestinal function, hinder normal bowel movements and emptying, and obstruct the normal secretion of bile and pancreatic juice, thus triggering a recurrence of pancreatitis.

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Written by Wei Shi Liang
Intensive Care Unit
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Rescue of severe pancreatitis

Severe pancreatitis involves severe illness impacting multiple systems and organs across the body. The rescue of severe pancreatitis should be based in the ICU, with multidisciplinary cooperation. The first step is early fluid resuscitation, with crystalloid solution preferred, and it should be rapidly completed within 48 hours of onset. The second step involves support for circulation and respiration. The third step involves the maintenance of organ functions and the use of blood purification treatments. Early use of blood purification in acute pancreatitis can remove inflammatory mediators, regulate immune dysfunctions, and protect organ functions, potentially extending the survival time of patients with severe pancreatitis. The fourth step includes monitoring intra-abdominal pressure and preventing and treating abdominal compartment syndrome. Further treatments mainly include the use of agents to inhibit pancreatic enzymes and platelet activation, as well as early jejunal nutrition. Additionally, prophylactic use of antibiotics is required, and in cases of biliary acute pancreatitis, ERCP or sphincterotomy should be performed. The final approach is surgical treatment, which is reserved for patients who do not respond to or have poor results from conservative treatment.

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Written by Li Qiang
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The difference between severe pancreatitis and mild pancreatitis

Generally speaking, mild pancreatitis is just a local inflammation of the pancreas, usually manifested as upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and bloating — symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract. Severe pancreatitis, however, is much more serious than mild pancreatitis. In severe pancreatitis, not only is the pain in the local pancreas area more intense and the abdominal bloating more pronounced, but there is also a lot of effusion accumulating in the abdomen. Severe pancreatitis can also affect many other organs, such as the lungs, which are most commonly affected. It can lead to patients developing acute respiratory distress syndrome, characterized by severe hypoxemia, with many patients requiring mechanical ventilation treatment. Another organ that is commonly affected is the kidney, with many patients with severe pancreatitis experiencing acute renal failure, reduced urine output, or even anuria. Severe pancreatitis can also affect the heart, brain, and other organs, leading to functional abnormalities in these organs. Therefore, besides affecting the local pancreas, severe pancreatitis can involve other important organs, resulting in multiple organ dysfunctions.