What are the causes of acute pancreatitis?

Written by Guo Li Ming
Gastroenterology
Updated on March 24, 2025
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There are many causes of acute pancreatitis. Common primary causes include improper diet: overeating, alcohol consumption, preference for spicy or rich foods, etc. Additionally, hyperlipidemia and cholelithiasis are also reasons, along with surgical trauma such as cholangiography, gastrectomy, etc. Other diseases can also lead to acute pancreatitis, such as hypercalcemia, diabetic coma, hyperparathyroidism, rheumatism, necrotizing vasculitis, etc.; viral infections can also cause pancreatitis, and long-term use of medications can cause acute inflammation, such as tetracycline, corticosteroids, etc. Acute pancreatitis initially presents with severe, acute abdominal pain, commonly in the left, upper middle quadrant, and occasionally radiating to the back. Subsequently, vomiting, fever, and in severe cases, shock may occur. Acute pancreatitis is a type of acute abdomen and can be life-threatening. If symptoms occur, it is crucial to seek immediate hospital treatment.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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What are the clinical manifestations of acute pancreatitis?

Acute pancreatitis includes two main types: acute edematous pancreatitis and acute necrotizing pancreatitis. It is a common acute and critical condition of the digestive system, particularly acute necrotizing pancreatitis, which can often be life-threatening. The primary symptoms usually include severe upper left abdominal pain, fever, chills, shivering, vomiting, etc. There is a significant relationship between abdominal pain and eating; generally, the pain worsens after eating and can sometimes radiate to the back. The main causes could be binge drinking, overeating, cholecystitis, gallstones, or hyperlipidemia, among others. Diagnosis is usually confirmed through examinations such as an upper abdominal CT and serum and urine amylase tests, followed by appropriate treatment measures.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Is the recurrence rate of acute pancreatitis high?

After recovering from acute pancreatitis, if patients do not pay careful attention to their diet, there is a significant risk of relapse. For example, they should not drink alcohol excessively, overeat, or consume greasy foods. Also, if the acute pancreatitis is caused by conditions such as gallstones, it is important to have the gallbladder removed promptly. Without gallbladder removal, the recurrence rate of the disease noticeably increases. Patients with acute pancreatitis should initially eat foods that are easy to digest and low in protein and fat, such as carbohydrates that are also easy to swallow. Once the patient's condition significantly improves, they can gradually transition to a diet higher in protein and vitamins, among other nutrients.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Can you drink water with acute pancreatitis?

Patients with acute pancreatitis cannot drink water or eat anything during the acute phase. They must undergo gastrointestinal decompression to suction out gastric juice, gastric acid, and gastric contents. At the same time, treatment for acute pancreatitis includes inhibiting pancreatic secretion, anti-infection measures, intravenous fluid replenishment, and maintaining electrolyte balance, among others. If a patient with acute pancreatitis experiences bowel movements, gas, relief from abdominal pain, and a decrease in blood amylase to normal levels, they may then consider drinking small amounts of water and consuming light foods like rice soup or thin porridge. If the abdominal pain disappears, the patient can gradually increase their water intake.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Does acute pancreatitis cause abdominal muscle tension?

If a patient with acute pancreatitis shows symptoms of peritonitis, abdominal muscle rigidity may occur. Acute pancreatitis is divided into acute edematous pancreatitis and acute hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis. The main symptoms of acute edematous pancreatitis include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever. If it is hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis, it can lead to shock, respiratory distress syndrome, high fever, jaundice, abdominal distension, and the abdominal compartment syndrome in the patient. Severe cases can cause intestinal paralysis and signs of peritoneal irritation, leading to abdominal muscle rigidity and also possibly presenting with shifting dullness, among other symptoms.

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Written by Guo Li Ming
Gastroenterology
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What are the causes of acute pancreatitis?

There are many causes of acute pancreatitis. Common primary causes include improper diet: overeating, alcohol consumption, preference for spicy or rich foods, etc. Additionally, hyperlipidemia and cholelithiasis are also reasons, along with surgical trauma such as cholangiography, gastrectomy, etc. Other diseases can also lead to acute pancreatitis, such as hypercalcemia, diabetic coma, hyperparathyroidism, rheumatism, necrotizing vasculitis, etc.; viral infections can also cause pancreatitis, and long-term use of medications can cause acute inflammation, such as tetracycline, corticosteroids, etc. Acute pancreatitis initially presents with severe, acute abdominal pain, commonly in the left, upper middle quadrant, and occasionally radiating to the back. Subsequently, vomiting, fever, and in severe cases, shock may occur. Acute pancreatitis is a type of acute abdomen and can be life-threatening. If symptoms occur, it is crucial to seek immediate hospital treatment.