![Picture](/uploads/5/0/7/1/50711985/1237032.jpg?409)
Risk Factors:
Heavy alcohol consumption: Seeing that the Pancreas secretes enzymes into the Small Intestine to help metabolize food, alcohol can have detrimental effects. Heavy alcohol consumption can cause the Pancreas to secrete important enzymes ,such as Lipase and Amylase, internally rather than sending it to the Small Intestine like it should. If heavy alcohol consumption persists, it can cause inflammation of the Pancreatic tissue and blood vessels. If this inflammation becomes constant, acute pancreatitis can become chronic (Drinkware, 2015).
Cigarette Smoking: Ciagarettes can increase the already harmful effects of alcohol. Smoking can also cause the Pancreas to produce less bicarbonate resulting in stomach and intestinal ulcers (NIDDK, 2013).
Gallstones: Gallstones, produced in the liver and sometimes caused by cholestrol or calcium build up, can block the bile duct stopping the flow of pancreatic enzymes to the Small Intestine. This forces the enzymes back into the Pancreas. This can cause inflammation associated with Pancreatitis. Gallstones are often times the most common cause of acute pancreatitis (DDC, n.d.).
Hereditary Pancreatitis: Hereditary pancreatitis is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation of a specific gene (PRSS1). Individuals with herediatry pancreatitis typically have their first attack from the ages of 6-20. Reoccurent attacks are very common and can eventually lead to chronic pancreatitis. Hereditary pancreatitis has also been linked to an increased risk for pancreatic cancer (GHR, 2012).
Prevention:
Although there is no way to prevent pancreatitis entirely, there are some way that can lower your chances of having a flare up:
Limit alcohol consumption
Eat a low-fat diet
Excersise Regularly
Do no smoke
Take any prescribed medications on time
Avoid major weight fluctuation
Page editor: Anna Watts
See sources in "Citations and Links" tab under "MORE..."
Heavy alcohol consumption: Seeing that the Pancreas secretes enzymes into the Small Intestine to help metabolize food, alcohol can have detrimental effects. Heavy alcohol consumption can cause the Pancreas to secrete important enzymes ,such as Lipase and Amylase, internally rather than sending it to the Small Intestine like it should. If heavy alcohol consumption persists, it can cause inflammation of the Pancreatic tissue and blood vessels. If this inflammation becomes constant, acute pancreatitis can become chronic (Drinkware, 2015).
Cigarette Smoking: Ciagarettes can increase the already harmful effects of alcohol. Smoking can also cause the Pancreas to produce less bicarbonate resulting in stomach and intestinal ulcers (NIDDK, 2013).
Gallstones: Gallstones, produced in the liver and sometimes caused by cholestrol or calcium build up, can block the bile duct stopping the flow of pancreatic enzymes to the Small Intestine. This forces the enzymes back into the Pancreas. This can cause inflammation associated with Pancreatitis. Gallstones are often times the most common cause of acute pancreatitis (DDC, n.d.).
Hereditary Pancreatitis: Hereditary pancreatitis is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation of a specific gene (PRSS1). Individuals with herediatry pancreatitis typically have their first attack from the ages of 6-20. Reoccurent attacks are very common and can eventually lead to chronic pancreatitis. Hereditary pancreatitis has also been linked to an increased risk for pancreatic cancer (GHR, 2012).
Prevention:
Although there is no way to prevent pancreatitis entirely, there are some way that can lower your chances of having a flare up:
Limit alcohol consumption
Eat a low-fat diet
Excersise Regularly
Do no smoke
Take any prescribed medications on time
Avoid major weight fluctuation
Page editor: Anna Watts
See sources in "Citations and Links" tab under "MORE..."