What is the most common cause of acute pancreatitis?

The most common cause of acute pancreatitis is gallstones. This condition occurs when bile stones obstruct the pancreatic duct or the ampulla of Vater, leading to inflammation of the pancreas. When a gallstone blocks the outflow of pancreatic enzymes, it causes pressure to build up, resulting in autodigestion of the pancreas itself.

While alcohol consumption is indeed a significant risk factor for developing pancreatitis, gallstones surpass it in prevalence as a trigger. Gallstone-related pancreatitis often presents with sudden onset of severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, which are typical symptoms of the condition. The incidence of gallstones is particularly high in populations with certain risk factors, making them the leading cause of acute pancreatitis in clinical practice.

Other options like trauma and mumps are less common causes. Trauma may lead to acute pancreatitis, but it is not as prevalent as gallstone-related cases. Mumps can lead to pancreatic inflammation in children, but this is a rare etiology compared to the widespread occurrence of gallstones. So, in the context of acute pancreatitis, gallstones stand out as the most frequent cause due to their capacity to obstruct pancreatic ducts and induce inflammation.