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I had acute pancreatitis exactly one year ago. I had drank like any party-going college student (I'm 21 now). After I got pancreatitis, the doctors could not figure out why it happened. I obviously haven't been drinking long or hard enough for alcohol to be the problem...I took 9 months off from drinking, however, just to be safe. I've been drinking again for two months and had no problems, but I am still concerned that one heavy night of alcohol consumption could leave me back in the hospital, in worse condition than before. If the pancreatitis was due to a bile duct blockage that cleared itself up before the doctors could find it, would drinking affect the status of my pancreas, or would drinking had to of been a contributing factor to my previous case?

Submitted: 21 days and 20 hours ago.

Category: Health

Value: $14

Status: CLOSED

Gender: Male
Age: 21

Already Tried:
I took 9 months off of drinking completely, and I've kept up a healthy active lifestyle, so as to reduce the chances of getting pancreatitis again.

Posted by RK 21 days and 19 hours ago.

Answer

Hi,
If the pancreas has been affected by bile duct blockage, drinking alcohol would further worsen it.
It is difficult to say whether alcohol drinking contributed to your previous case.
Gall stones obstructing the duct is a more common cause of acute pancreatitis.

21 days and 19 hours ago.

Reply

How can I tell if my pancreas was affected due to a bile duct blockage? And if gall stones were the cause, then is alcohol okay? I'm just wondering what kind of risk I'm taking by consuming alcohol again.

Accepted Answer

Imaging studies have to be done.
Ultrasound scan/ endosultrasound, MRCP/ERCP are some the options to find if the duct is blocked.
Whatever might be the cause of pancreatitis drinking alcohol is not advised as it could worsen it.

Accepts:
Expert:	RK
Pos. Feedback:	97.6 %
Answered:	11/2/2009

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MD, DM.

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Optional Information

Gender: Male
Age: 21

Already Tried:
I took 9 months off of drinking completely, and I've kept up a healthy active lifestyle, so as to reduce the chances of getting pancreatitis again.

Answer

Hi,
If the pancreas has been affected by bile duct blockage, drinking alcohol would further worsen it.
It is difficult to say whether alcohol drinking contributed to your previous case.
Gall stones obstructing the duct is a more common cause of acute pancreatitis.

Reply

How can I tell if my pancreas was affected due to a bile duct blockage? And if gall stones were the cause, then is alcohol okay? I'm just wondering what kind of risk I'm taking by consuming alcohol again.

Accepted Answer

Imaging studies have to be done.
Ultrasound scan/ endosultrasound, MRCP/ERCP are some the options to find if the duct is blocked.
Whatever might be the cause of pancreatitis drinking alcohol is not advised as it could worsen it.

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Optional Information

Gender: MaleAge: 21 Already Tried: I took 9 months off of drinking completely, and I've kept up a healthy active lifestyle, so as to reduce the chances of getting pancreatitis again.

Answer

Hi,If the pancreas has been affected by bile duct blockage, drinking alcohol would further worsen it.It is difficult to say whether alcohol drinking contributed to your previous case.Gall stones obstructing the duct is a more common cause of acute pancreatitis.

Reply

How can I tell if my pancreas was affected due to a bile duct blockage? And if gall stones were the cause, then is alcohol okay? I'm just wondering what kind of risk I'm taking by consuming alcohol again.

Accepted Answer

Imaging studies have to be done.Ultrasound scan/ endosultrasound, MRCP/ERCP are some the options to find if the duct is blocked.Whatever might be the cause of pancreatitis drinking alcohol is not advised as it could worsen it.

Related Health Questions

Gender: Male
Age: 21

Already Tried:
I took 9 months off of drinking completely, and I've kept up a healthy active lifestyle, so as to reduce the chances of getting pancreatitis again.

Hi,
If the pancreas has been affected by bile duct blockage, drinking alcohol would further worsen it.
It is difficult to say whether alcohol drinking contributed to your previous case.
Gall stones obstructing the duct is a more common cause of acute pancreatitis.

Imaging studies have to be done.
Ultrasound scan/ endosultrasound, MRCP/ERCP are some the options to find if the duct is blocked.
Whatever might be the cause of pancreatitis drinking alcohol is not advised as it could worsen it.