Besides gallstones, which is another common cause of acute pancreatitis?

Besides gallstones, which is another common cause of acute pancreatitis?

• A. Viral infection
• B. Hyperlipidemia
• C. Biliary obstruction
• D. Alcoholism

Answer: (D)

Alcohol use is a major non-gallstone cause of acute pancreatitis. Heavy or binge drinking damages the pancreas by increasing pancreatic enzyme production and promoting premature activation of digestive enzymes inside acinar cells, which leads to autodigestion and inflammation. Over time, alcohol-related injury also fuels inflammatory processes that contribute to an acute episode. While viral infections and extremely high triglyceride levels can cause pancreatitis, they are less common overall, and biliary obstruction is the gallstone-related mechanism that’s already accounted for. So alcohol remains the best answer as the other frequent cause besides gallstones.

Alcohol use is a major non-gallstone cause of acute pancreatitis. Heavy or binge drinking damages the pancreas by increasing pancreatic enzyme production and promoting premature activation of digestive enzymes inside acinar cells, which leads to autodigestion and inflammation. Over time, alcohol-related injury also fuels inflammatory processes that contribute to an acute episode. While viral infections and extremely high triglyceride levels can cause pancreatitis, they are less common overall, and biliary obstruction is the gallstone-related mechanism that’s already accounted for. So alcohol remains the best answer as the other frequent cause besides gallstones.