Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction

Acute pancreatitis is an abrupt inflammation of the pancreas that occurs when digestive enzymes are activated prematurely within the gland.

These enzymes begin to break down pancreatic tissue, leading to swelling, tissue damage, and fluid leakage into surrounding areas.

The most common causes are gallstones, which obstruct the ampulla of Vater, and chronic alcohol use, which injures pancreatic acinar cells and impairs enzyme regulation.

Other causes include hypertriglyceridemia, certain medications such as azathioprine, abdominal trauma, viral infections like mumps, and complications following procedures such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, or ERCP.

These diverse triggers disrupt pancreatic function, sparking acute inflammation.

As inflammation sets in, pancreatic enzymes leak into surrounding tissues and begin causing pain. Patients typically feel sharp, constant upper abdominal pain that may spread to the back and worsen after eating.

Other symptoms can include vomiting, fever, jaundice, hypotension, and, in severe cases, multi-organ failure.