Medically Reviewed by Dr P. E. Pancoast, MD
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Alcoholic pancreatitis refers to inflammation of the pancreas due to alcohol consumption. The pancreas has two primary functions in the body:
Alcoholic pancreatitis symptoms can appear suddenly. They can range from mild to life-threatening.
People with severe alcohol-induced pancreatitis may experience the following:
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Scientists do not entirely know how alcohol causes pancreatitis. However, there are some potential reasons.
One theory is that alcohol interferes with the cells of the pancreas. Alcohol can create viscous secretions that block pancreatic ducts, which causes the digestive and lysosomal enzymes to activate prematurely. When this happens, the pancreas stops working, which leads to alcoholic pancreatitis.
Additionally, alcohol can harm the pancreas by causing oxidative stress, a process where chemical formation can damage the area around the pancreas. This can lead to cell injury and inflammation.
In the U.S., chronic alcohol consumption is the most common cause of chronic pancreatitis. Approximately 40 to 70% of all cases are due to chronic alcohol consumption.3
Alcoholic pancreatitis usually develops after 4 to 5 years of substantial alcohol use (4 to 5 drinks daily). People who smoke heavily and drink more than 400g of alcohol per month increase their risk of acute pancreatitis by four times.3
A study explored that the likelihood of developing alcoholic pancreatitis didn’t change depending on the type of alcohol consumed.9 However, it is essential to remember that more knowledge is needed about alcohol-induced pancreatitis.
Not many people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) develop pancreatitis. The percentage of alcoholics who develop the condition is less than 5%.7 However, alcohol may make the pancreas more sensitive to external damage and environmental factors like a high-fat diet or cigarette use.
Alcohol-induced pancreatitis should not be confused with other pancreatitis types. These types of pancreatitis could occur due to other causes.
For example, gallstones are the leading common cause of acute pancreatitis. These are stone-like pieces that form in the gallbladder.
Alcoholic pancreatitis is more dangerous than other types of pancreatitis. This is because it can lead to chronic pancreatitis.
There are two main types of pancreatitis: acute and chronic. Both types can be caused by excessive drinking.
People with acute pancreatitis will develop symptoms suddenly. In these cases, individuals are recommended not to drink or eat until a doctor authorizes it.
Eating or drinking can increase inflammation and create severe pain in some cases. This is because both actions tell the body, including the pancreas, to process substances in the stomach.
Acute pancreatitis usually lasts from a few days to weeks. In alcohol-induced pancreatitis, pain does not often appear until one to three days after a binge drinking session.
Chronic pancreatitis happens when there is scarring and permanent damage to the pancreatic tissue. This occurs after multiple episodes of acute pancreatitis.
Alcohol is the most common cause of chronic pancreatitis. If you’ve experienced one episode of acute pancreatitis due to alcohol, you should avoid drinking. Avoiding alcohol can reduce the risk of developing chronic pancreatitis.
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People who experience alcoholic pancreatitis may experience different symptoms, including:
The abdomen may be swollen due to pressure from the inside. Healthcare professionals can determine this upon examination.
People who experience a more severe case of alcoholic pancreatitis may have the following:
This condition is also known as Cullen’s or Grey Turner’s signs. This is when the body has bruises between the last rib and the top hip. The condition develops due to a peritoneal or retroperitoneal hemorrhage (bleeding).
The peritoneum is a tissue that lines the abdomen's inner wall. It provides support for many abdominal organs.
Alcoholic pancreatitis can cause inflammation of that area. If untreated, peritonitis can result in sepsis, a life-threatening condition.
Health professionals recommend reducing food intake in those with alcoholic pancreatitis. Eating food can stress the pancreas, mainly when it causes the pancreas to release digestive enzymes.
If the pancreas has to do this extra work, more inflammation will occur. The pancreatic cells break down further, which delays recovery.
Depending on the severity of the condition, people may be on a strict diet for an extended time. They may lose weight as a result.
Severe acute pancreatitis can develop a complication where the pancreas loses its blood supply. This can cause some of the tissue of the pancreas to die.
When this happens, the pancreas can become infected. The infection can then spread into the blood; this is called sepsis.
If the sepsis has become severe, it can cause septic shock. When this happens, it can cause:
This respiratory condition happens when a person's lungs do not exchange enough oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. Body organs that depend on fresh blood supply can fail.
People with this condition will most likely require mechanical ventilatory support. This increases the risk of hospital-acquired infections and death.
Pancreatitis can prevent your pancreas from providing enough enzymes for your intestines to digest food. This interruption can also turn your stool pale yellow. If you have alcoholic pancreatitis, your stool will be pale yellow and will float.
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People with suspected alcoholic pancreatitis are recommended to visit a hospital. For proper diagnosis, people must meet at least two of the following three criteria:
These can include abdominal pain that may or may not extend to the back. These features also include tenderness of the abdomen upon physical examination.
This provides evidence of fat digestive enzyme levels, such as amylase and lipase. They must be at least three times higher than the normal value.
Health professionals may also consider liver function tests. These tests can rule out acute pancreatitis due to other causes.
Some people need a CT scan with a solution delivered through the veins. This test is used to check for the following:
Additionally, people who misuse alcohol may show symptoms of an alcohol use disorder (AUD), including:
Individuals who have alcoholic pancreatitis receive the same care as those provided for other types of pancreatitis. However, healthcare professionals include stopping alcohol use during or after hospitalization.
Alcohol can worsen the condition, and stopping alcohol consumption can reduce pancreatic damage. People with alcoholic pancreatitis will undergo the following:
It is possible to recover from alcoholic pancreatitis. However, it’s possible to have another episode without dietary or lifestyle changes.
Healthcare professionals may also recommend different therapy options for alcohol use disorder (AUD). These are intended to help people recover and prevent further pancreatitis.
For example, people may undergo treatments, such as:
People who have experienced acute alcoholic pancreatitis are 24% more likely to develop acute pancreatitis. They also face a 16% likelihood of developing chronic pancreatitis.3
Alcoholic pancreatitis refers to inflammation of the pancreas due to alcohol consumption. This is caused by years of heavy alcohol use or 4 to 5 drinks daily.
Alcoholic pancreatitis should not be confused with other types of pancreatitis. Alcoholic pancreatitis is more dangerous than different kinds of pancreatitis because it can lead to chronic pancreatitis.
There are ways to diagnose and treat alcoholic pancreatitis; it is also possible to recover fully. However, pancreatitis can happen again without proper dietary and lifestyle changes.
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