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Digestive Problems

Pancreatitis - The Nutrients That Can Offer Relief


Date: 18/03/05
 
There are two types of pancreatitis: acute and chronic. Acute cases usually occur suddenly and only last for a short period of time. Chronic pancreatitis can last for years, causing sufferers to experience symptoms on and off. These nutrients can offer much-needed relief from acute and chronic pancreatitis...

Pancreatitis is a condition that involves inflammation of the pancreas a large gland that lies behind your stomach. It is an essential organ that produces the hormone insulin, which is responsible for regulating your blood sugar levels. If your pancreas stops working properly, as in the case of pancreatitis, your risk of developing diabetes increases.

Another important function that your pancreas carries out is the secretion of several digestive enzymes into your small intestine, through a tube called the pancreatic duct. Normally these enzymes do not become active until they reach your small intestine where they begin digesting fats, proteins and carbohydrates from the foods you eat. However, in sufferers of pancreatitis, these enzymes become prematurely active inside the pancreas and actually start digesting the pancreas itself.

There are two types of pancreatitis: acute and chronic. Acute cases usually occur suddenly and only last for a short period of time. They normally resolve on their own following a period of rest, increased fluid intake, and the avoidance of alcohol and rich fatty meals.

Chronic pancreatitis can last for years, causing sufferers to experience symptoms on and off. After your pancreas has been subjected to repeat attacks it can soon become sluggish and lose its effectiveness, as pancreatic tissue is destroyed and scarring occurs. In addition, further complications can develop, including low blood pressure with dizziness and fainting, heart or kidney failure, diabetes and abscesses inside your pancreas.

In chronic cases the patient may need to be admitted to hospital for intravenous fluids, antibiotics, strong painkillers such as pethidine or morphine, and other specialist treatment.

What causes your digestive enzymes to turn on your pancreas?

Pancreatitis can occur as a result of gallstones, excess alcohol, a sluggish immune system, or an infection - viruses like hepatitis and rubella can trigger the condition (Med Clin North Am 1993 Sep; 77(5): 1037-56).

Certain conventional drugs are also implicated in causing the condition, these include steroids, water tablets, anti-inflammatory tablets (such as diclofenac), and the antibiotic tetracycline. Fortunately, stopping the offending drug normally clears the problem up.

Acute pancreatitis is normally a result of drinking too much alcohol or gallstones. A gallstone can block the pancreatic duct, trapping digestive enzymes in the pancreas where they can become active.

Chronic cases most commonly result from many years of serious alcohol abuse but can also be triggered by just one acute attack especially if the pancreatic ducts are damaged. The damaged ducts cause the pancreas to become inflamed, tissue to be destroyed, and scar tissue to develop.

These nutrients can offer much-needed relief from acute and chronic pancreatitis

Nutrients that are able to reduce inflammation have been found to be effective for alleviating both acute and chronic cases of pancreatitis. Evening primrose oil is a well-known anti-inflammatory that has been found to be beneficial. It also acts as a preventative, helping to ward off attacks. The recommended dosage for evening primrose oil is 3,000mg a day.

Aloe vera has a double benefit when it comes to treating the condition it not only helps to reduce inflammation within the pancreas but also rebalances digestive juices in the bowel. The recommended dosage is half a cup of aloe vera juice twice a day.

Another nutrient used in the treatment of pancreatitis is Betain: it nourishes the pancreas and helps put a stop to diarrhoea a common symptom (J Gastroenterol Hepatol 1993, 8(1):60-62). It is available in capsule form and can be taken once or twice a day.

Repeat attacks of pancreatitis can cause a vitamin B12 deficiency, which increases the risk of anaemia (Glasbrenner B et al. Klin Wochenschr 1001. 69(4):168-172). For this reason, it is wise to take vitamin B12 in supplement form as a precaution, particularly for those suffering from chronic pancreatitis. The recommended dosage is 100mcg a day.

Supplementing with enzymes gives your digestive system a helping hand

Chronic pancreatitis causes indigestion and insufficient absorption of nutrients from your bowel. Fortunately natural enzymes like bromelain and papain (pineapple extracts) can help. They are able to digest protein inside your bowel and also have the added bonus of reducing inflammation both inside the pancreas and the bowel. The recommended dosage is 1,000mg taken three times a day.

Another supplement that provides substitute enzymes is Creon. It contains protease (an enzyme that helps facilitate the breakdown of proteins), lipase (which helps digest fats), and amylase (which breaks down certain types of carbohydrates, such as starch).

This preparation was found to be useful in improving digestion, reducing nausea and diarrhoea, and improving the overall well-being of patients with chronic pancreatitis (Orv Hetil 1990, 131(5):241-244). Creon is currently available on prescription only, as the dosage is dependent on the severity of your condition and must be determined by a doctor.

Recognise The Warning Signs That Can Signal Pancreatitis

Common symptoms to watch out for include:

Severe pain and swelling in the upper part of your abdomen
Excessive sweating, nausea or vomiting
Fever, mild jaundice and rapid pulse
Diarrhoea, containing undigested fats (called steatorrhoea). In chronic pancreatitis this may result in malnutrition and weight loss.

It is important to consult your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. A diagnosis is made based on presenting symptoms and following blood tests. In some cases an abdominal ultrasound may be carried out to check for gallstones and a CAT (computerised axial tomography) scan to detect inflammation or destruction of the pancreas.
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Comments

Anna Posted 07/08/2008

Hopefully your page will help. I have a daughter, 21, who has (for almost the last 3 years) had to put her life on hold due to chronic pancreatitis. We have been to Froedtert, and Mayo. She has had no less than 13 surgeries since this all began. She is a guinea pig because NOBODY believes this garbage about a 21 year old.

jeannie Posted 20/09/2008

great help thanks

linda franklin Posted 06/10/2008

Johns Hopkins or University of Pittsburgh's Dr.David Whitcomb understand the genetic mutation that causes this in a young person as my grandaughter. Feel free to write to me.

K. Mahendran Posted 22/10/2008

I went for a medical check-up and found that my Tumour Marker CA 19.9 level was 54 (normal level in healthy person according to the doctor should be 37 and below). I am non-diabetic. I find that my stools sometimes seem to float. I am losing weight and drowsy eyes. I feel that the digestive enzymes from my pancreas are creating this problem. Could you plese advice to remedy this problem. Thank you.

 Posted 17/12/2008

Anna, my mom has the same problem. The doctors just give her pain meds to deal with it.

James Posted 11/01/2009

Great Article, Helped a lot.

Thomas Petrie Posted 06/02/2009

Great column and well written. I am a nutritionist and this information is right on the mark.

Ronda Posted 21/02/2009

I would to say this was very interesting to read. I have had hereditary pancreatis all my life, and I am 47 yrs old. I have had major surgery's. My daughter also, has it too, she is 21 and it started when she was 9 yrs old. She has had 2 surgery's and in and out of hospital's every year. It has consumed her life,but she graduated at the in the top 20 of her high school class and she is going to college and been on the dean's list. She is in her 4th year of college and she will be graduating in May. She is very strong willed and determined she has goal and does not let this stop her from any of it. I know that if she did she would of not made through life. We have both been through alot and the pain is very very painful. Anyone that would like to email me or talk with my daughter for support or comfort please email me.rlbonsel@aol.com The other support is our surgeon he is the best and I have all the confidence in the world in him and that is very important

Musthafa saif Mohammed Posted 22/02/2009

Hi, I just wished I found such precious information like this before my 25 years old brother suddenly died due to accute pancreatitis within 3 days in Moolchand Hospital in new delhi. I wish I read it somewhere as the doctors straight away declared that there is no cure for accute pancreatitis in this world and they left us with no hope to save my brother who was conscious while lying in the ICU for 30 hours...they said they couldn't do anything to save him.

Daralyn  Posted 18/03/2009

Hi.. im wondering what, of the above combinations of treatments or meds, would be recommended to someone who has the symptoms of acute pancreatis.. he is someone who has endured a lot of trauma to his pancreas(has 2/3 left), and his bowel (lots of scar tissue, put back together), as well as his small intestine(they took 5 feet). this was 2 years and a few months ago. Lately, he gets the crippling pains frequently. His diet isn't bad. I hate seeing him in this horrible pain and I want to know what to use to ward off the attacks. Please, any advice from anyone out there would be nice..

Esther Miller Posted 08/04/2009

I have had stomach pains for years & have all the symptions of pancreatitis & have been to the doctors & they never thought to check me for this so I started treating myself just a week ago with Pancreatic VegEnzymes L. I sent for the Evening Primrose & Aloe Vera Gel & I'll let you know if it helps me.

marisa Posted 22/05/2009

My husband just had an acute pancreatitis attack. A shock as we are very healthy people. How's it going Esther? I want to try the Aloe and Primrose. It was one week ago today that he went to the emergency room. He's only been given pain killers and antacids. He can only eat a few bites before feeling full. Then he gets bad heartburn from that. He's till exhausted all day but yesterday and today put in 2 full days of work.

rosie jackson Posted 04/06/2009

Hi Esther,I too have all the symptoms of pancreatitis. I haven't had formal diagnosis yet. How are you getting on with the aloe and evening primrose? I hope you are feeling better. If so,I will give them a try!

Suliman Posted 09/06/2009

I would like to hear your results too, Esther. I've had stomach pain for over year, doctors say that it's chronic pancreatitis, and there is no cure for it..

Betsy Posted 20/07/2009

I figured out that after being "Suzie Sixpack" for 25 years, I had succeeded in giving myself pancreatitis. Needless to say, Suzie is retired, but when a local newsman died the same week of complications of pancreatitis after only 3 days, I was extra- inspired to take care of myself. The aloe is fairly unsavory unless mixed with another beverage, but I tried that along with the Evening Primrose and an enzyme mix of betaine, pepaine, bromelain, & pepsin. That mix returned my life to normal almost instantly. I also had to start back on food with almost nothing and add back foods with sugars and fats very sparingly. I feel way better now!

Margie Posted 02/08/2009

Hey Betsy(suzie 6-pack), I almost gaven up until read your comment.I am so happy that those remedies worked 4 u, because I was going out to get it all 4 my husband asap. He has been in the hospital 4 about a week, and his Dr. is just giving him painkillers and antacids as well and I knew there had to be a better way! Please keep me posted on your progress... looks like we are all in this together! To everyone else I am so sorry 4 your losses...God Bless!

Jesscasas Posted 07/08/2009

I started to have the symptoms of pancreaitis after I gave birth to my first daughter. She is now 1yr and 1/2 and I'm still having episodes were I get this awful pain. I have gone to the hospital twice, I recently went in June but the doctor doesnt know why I got pancreaitis since I dont drink. I cant stand this pain anymore and I am going to try the evening primose to see if it helps. If anybody else knows of something to help please tell us.

Nancy Posted 11/08/2009

Diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis at the age of 36. I have had a handful of drinks in my 36 years. The doctor has done a sphinterotomy, and I am on Creon several anti nausea meds, and vicodin. Looking at having more surgery later this autumn if the insurance company allows me take a drug call Sandostatin LAR which has been found to help. Were not sure if we will do a another sphinterotomy, or my favorite (not) a feeding tube, to just give the pancreas a break.

GunnarB Posted 12/08/2009

What is the pain level you suffering chronic pancreatitis (from 1 to 10)? I've it from 2-6 all time. When eating the pain increase within a hour and is about 5-6 and need pain killers (tramadol or panacod). In the morning it is 2-3, just able to be without medicine..

Debora Posted 25/09/2009

My husband has been hospitalized with acute pancreatitis, from drinking too much alcohol. He came home and continued drinking. Of course the pancreatitis attacks reoccured. I bought aloe vera juice and within three days he was better than when he left the hospital. Now, I can only hope he has learned his lesson with the booze. Thanks for the advise.



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