What are the most common causes of acute pancreatitis?

Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas that can result from various causes, with gallstones and alcohol consumption being the most prevalent. Gallstones can obstruct the pancreatic duct, leading to increased pressure and inflammation in the pancreas. This blockage causes digestive enzymes to activate prematurely, resulting in the destruction of pancreatic tissue. Alcohol, on the other hand, is a potent irritant that can lead to pancreatic inflammation through direct toxic effects, as well as by causing spasm of the pancreatic duct and promoting protein precipitation, which can block the ducts.

While medications and trauma can certainly lead to acute pancreatitis, they are significantly less common than the aforementioned causes. Hypercalcemia and certain infections, while they are known to contribute to acute pancreatitis, occur with much less frequency. Conditions like cystic fibrosis and autoimmune disorders are generally associated with chronic pancreatitis rather than the acute form. Therefore, gallstones and alcohol are recognized as the most frequent culprits in the etiology of acute pancreatitis.