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Print: What causes pancreatitis?
There are a number of factors that can cause pancreatitis. The most common cause of pancreatitis is alcohol abuse. Other causes include the following:
- Smoking
- Gallstones (digestive fluids that become solid and form stones in the gallbladder)
- Certain medicines
- High levels of triglycerides (a type of fat in your blood)
- High levels of parathyroid hormone in the blood (called hyperparathyroidism)
- High levels of calcium in the blood (called hypercalcemia)
- Cancer of the pancreas
- Cystic fibrosis
- A family history of pancreatitis
- Abdominal surgery
- Injury to the abdomen
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Source
Chronic Pancreatitis by J. Nair, MD, and Lanika Lawler, MD (American Family Physician December 01, 2007, http://www.aafp.org/afp/20071201/1679.html)
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff
Reviewed/Updated: 02/11
Created: 10/09
