Pancreatitis is a disease in which the pancreas generally becomes inflamed. Pancreatic damage usually happens when the digestive enzymes which are more activated before they are released into the small intestine. Also, it will begin attacking the pancreas.
There are two forms of pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation which lasts for a very short time. Also, it may range from mild discomfort to a severe and life-threatening illness.
Chronic pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis is long-lasting inflammation of the pancreas. Mostly, it happens after an episode of acute pancreatitis.
Symptoms
- Upper abdominal pain
- Rapid pulse
- Fever
- Abdominal pain that radiates to your back
- Abdominal pain that feels worse after eating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Upper abdominal pain
- Losing weight without trying
- Oily, smelly stools.
- Tenderness when touching the abdomen.
Causes
- Alcoholism
- Gallstones
- Family history of pancreatitis
- Certain medications
- Cigarette smoking
- Cystic fibrosis
- Abdominal surgery
- Infection
- Injury to the abdomen
- Pancreatic cancer
- High triglyceride levels in the blood.
Remedies for Pancreatitis
- Hospital care is usually needed in case of pancreatitis. Treatment for pancreatitis involves administration of analgesics to alleviate the pain. Following hospitalization, there are certain measures which you need to take. This will enable proper recovery. These measures include:
- Discontinue alcohol consumption. There are various programs which will help individuals to stop drinking alcohol. Moreover, you can seek your doctor’s advice about which program is right for you.
- If you smoke, quit the habit immediately. By any chance, if you find it difficult to quit on your own, then you can seek counseling.
- You may suffer from dehydration due to pancreatitis. Hence, it is important to drink plenty of water.
- Natural healing remedies for pancreatitis include olive leaf extract which has anti-inflammatory properties. It is helpful in reducing the symptoms of pancreatitis.
Diet for Pancreatitis
The chronic pancreatitis diet should include certain beneficial foods. These include:
Yogurt
The live bacteria which are present in yogurt help to regulate the balance in the digestive system. Additionally, they help in strengthening the immune system. Therefore, protecting the body from inflammation.
Spinach
Spinach is loaded with antioxidants which help to boost immunity. So, you can consume spinach in a variety of ways such as in salads or stir fries.
Vegetable Soup
Vegetables are full of antioxidants. Therefore, they are good for the pancreas. Also, soups are beneficial in keeping the body hydrated. Tomato soups and broths are a great addition to the diet.
Blueberries
The antioxidants contained in blueberries help in destroying the free radicals which can aggravate pancreatitis.
Red Grapes
Red grapes generally contain resveratrol which is an essential antioxidant. Make it a point to consume red grapes daily. Red wine is also rich in this antioxidant, however, alcohol may cause irritation to the pancreas and hence it is best to avoid it.
Other foods
- Bread
- Rice
- Oatmeal
- Soy
It is essential that the diet for pancreatitis should be low in fat. Moreover, the daily total intake of fat should not exceed 40g. Always, it is advisable to consume smaller portions of food frequently during the day. There are certain foods which should be eliminated from the diet. These include caffeine, butter, eggs, beans, tobacco and spicy foods. These foods are known to result in the gas formation and can irritate the pancreas.
Individuals with pancreatitis may have deficiencies of nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, magnesium, and selenium. Your doctor may also ask you to include vitamin B12 in your diet. Diets which are high in sugary foods such as cookies or candies can lead to sugar accumulation in the body. The body needs to process this sugar rapidly and this can result in a sugar imbalance which causes diabetes. This fluctuation of blood sugar levels may lead to damage to the pancreas.
The pain may also be reduced with vitamin and mineral supplements such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and selenium. So, talk to your doctor before taking any supplements. Besides these effective natural remedies, it is essential for you to keep a healthy diet and eat beneficial foods for pancreatic health. Also, you should avoid or limit the intake of processed foods, fast foods, and wine. Certain alternative treatments may not be effective in treating pancreatitis but may be helpful in managing the pain and discomfort that the condition causes.