In order to identify the causes of pancreatitis, one must distinguish between the different types of pancreatitis. Acute and chronic inflammation of the pancreas can be caused by different factors. The acute form can have several causes, often gallstones blocking the duct into the duodenum are responsible for the inflammation.
In the course of this, various enzymes leave the cells and damage the tissue and this triggers an increased permeability of the cell membranes. Since the excretory duct of the gall bladder ends in the duodenum together with the excretory duct of the pancreas, there is a connection here. If the excretory duct, the so-called ductus choledochus, is obstructed by gallstones, there is a backflow of bile and pancreatic secretion.
This then leads to the inflammation. The narrowing of the orifice into the duodenum (papilla vateri) also causes a backlog of digestive juices. At 45 percent, this cause accounts for the lion’s share of all pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
The abuse of alcohol is responsible for pancreatitis in about 35 percent of cases. The most common cause of pancreatitis is chronic pancreatitis. In general, hazardous alcohol consumption is between 40 to 80g of alcohol per day for women and between 60 to 120g per day for men.
We are talking here about pure alcohol in the drinks. A glass of beer contains 13g of alcohol, a glass of wine already contains 16g of alcohol. So if you drink alcohol regularly, you have quickly crossed the line.
Nevertheless, clinical studies prove that alcohol is the sole cause in only 10% of known cases. In most patients other factors contribute to the development of chronic pancreatitis. Excessive nicotine consumption can also contribute to the development of pancreatitis. Unlike alcohol consumption, smoking is considered an independent trigger.
Idiopathic pancreatitis
In about 15 percent of the cases, no cause can be identified. In rare cases, the cause of pancreatitis can also be genetic. In this case, a so-called autosomal dominant inheritance is present.
The mutation is thus located on one of the chromosomes that are not responsible for sex determination. In dominant inheritance, it is sufficient to have a mutated variant of the gene on one chromosome. Man has two identical versions of each chromosome. In addition, of course, to the sex chromosomes X and Y.
Drugs
About two percent of pancreatitis are caused by medication. These include diuretics, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure, but antibiotics and antiepileptic drugs can also cause this. Patients suffering from so-called hyperparathyroidism with elevated calcium levels, a regulatory disorder of the parathyroid gland, are far more likely to develop chronic pancreatitis in the course of their lives than healthy people. The reason for this finding is that the hormones produced in the parathyroid gland are essential for the maintenance of normal calcium levels.
