A common mnemonic for the causes of pancreatitis spells "I get smashed", an allusion to heavy drinking (one of the many causes):
- I - idiopathic
- G - gallstone. Gallstones that travel down the common bile duct and which subsequently get stuck in the Ampulla of Vater can cause obstruction in the outflow of pancreatic juices from the pancreas into the duodenum. The backflow of these digestive juices causes lysis (dissolving) of pancreatic cells and subsequent pancreatitis.
- E - ethanol (alcohol)
- T - trauma
- S - steroids
- M - mumps (paramyxovirus) and other viruses (Epstein-Barr virus, Cytomegalovirus)
- A - autoimmune disease (Polyarteritis nodosa, Systemic lupus erythematosus)
- S - scorpion sting (e.g. Tityus trinitatis), and also snake bites
- H - hypercalcemia, hyperlipidemia/hypertriglyceridemia and hypothermia
- E - ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography - a procedure that combines endoscopy and fluoroscopy)
- D - drugs (SAND - steroids & sulfonamides, azathioprine, NSAIDS, diuretics such as furosemide and thiazides, & didanosine) and duodenal ulcers
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