What causes pancreatitis?

Under normal circumstances, pancreatitis may be caused by factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, high-fat diet, medications, biliary tract infections, or cholelithiasis. It can be treated under a doctor's guidance through general management and medication. The specific analysis is as follows:

1. Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Long-term heavy drinking can damage pancreatic cells. Digestive enzymes in the pancreatic juice may become abnormally activated within the pancreas, leading to self-digestion of pancreatic tissue and triggering pancreatitis. Abstaining from alcohol in daily life can help manage this condition.

2. High-Fat Diet

A high-fat diet significantly increases the burden on the pancreas. When pancreatic secretion exceeds the drainage capacity of the pancreatic duct, pressure within the duct rises, potentially causing duct rupture and leakage of digestive enzymes, which can lead to pancreatitis. It is advisable to eat smaller, more frequent meals and avoid overeating.

3. Medication Factors

Certain medications—such as diuretics, sulfonamides, and thiazide antihypertensives—may induce pancreatitis by directly damaging pancreatic cells, impairing pancreatic blood supply, or altering pancreatic juice composition when used long-term. Symptoms may include fever and rash. These medications should be adjusted or discontinued under medical supervision.

4. Biliary Tract Infection

Biliary tract infections are usually caused by biliary obstruction, bacterial infection, or localized impairment of blood supply to the gallbladder wall. Bacterial toxins and inflammatory mediators can damage pancreatic tissue, while biliary obstruction can impair pancreatic juice drainage, increasing the risk of pancreatitis. Symptoms may include jaundice and vomiting. Patients should follow medical advice and use medications such as potassium penicillin V tablets, levofloxacin hydrochloride tablets, and racemic anisodamine tablets for treatment.

5. Cholelithiasis

Changes in bile composition, gallbladder dysfunction, and infections are all contributing factors to cholelithiasis. Gallstones may block the common channel of the pancreatic duct and common bile duct, preventing pancreatic enzymes from flowing smoothly into the small intestine, thereby causing pancreatitis. Symptoms may include abdominal pain and jaundice. Treatment should follow medical guidance using medications such as amoxicillin capsules, ursodeoxycholic acid tablets, and lithotripsy-promoting herbal tablets.

Preventing pancreatitis primarily involves adjusting daily lifestyle habits: avoiding excessive alcohol intake and high-fat diets, using medications appropriately, and undergoing regular check-ups for biliary tract health to reduce the risk of developing the disease.