What is one common cause of pancreatitis?

Cholelithiasis, or the presence of gallstones, is a well-established and common cause of pancreatitis. This condition occurs when gallstones obstruct the pancreatic duct, leading to the accumulation of digestive enzymes in the pancreas, which can then result in inflammation. The blockage creates an environment conducive to the activation of these enzymes within the pancreatic tissue rather than in the intestine, causing the pancreas to digest itself—a process known as autodigestion.

While moderate alcohol use can contribute to pancreatitis, it is less commonly the singular immediate cause compared to the mechanical blockage caused by gallstones. Medications can induce pancreatitis but do so less frequently than gallstones, and abdominal trauma can also lead to pancreatitis, but this is typically not as prevalent as biliary obstruction associated with cholelithiasis. Thus, gallstones are often the most frequent precursor to this condition in clinical practice.