The One Thing You Should Never, Ever Do if You Want To Avoid Getting Pancreatitis, According to GI Docs
Female doctor is holding a pancreas model in her hands
Pancreatitis is no picnic.
The condition refers to inflammation of the pancreas, with symptoms including moderate to severe abdominal pain that worsens when you cough, lie flat, move or eat; as well as indigestion and appetite loss.
"The first thing to know about pancreatitis is that there's more than one type," Dr. Toufic Kachaamy, MD, a gastroenterologist at City of Hope Comprehensive Care and Research Center in Phoenix, Arizona, explains to Parade.
And trust us: You don't want either of them.
The two types are acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis. With acute pancreatitis, "you typically have a normally functioning pancreas that suddenly gets inflamed, causing moderate-to-severe abdominal pain, and typically recovers after the attack," Dr. Kachaamy says.
Meanwhile, chronic pancreatitis "is a result of chronic inflammation and scarring that can cause chronic pain and loss of the pancreas function," Dr. Kachaamy explains. "The chronic one is typically not reversible."
Acute pancreatitis symptoms include pain in the upper abdomen that can radiate to the back, sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, increased heart rate and fast, shallow breathing or respiratory failure. With chronic pancreatitis, patients may experience diarrhea, fatty and oily stools (called steatorrhea), loss of appetite, unintended weight loss and lightheadedness. Abdominal pain will usually follow eating for most pancreatitis patients.
So, how can you prevent pancreatitis? There is one thing in particular to avoid that will reduce your likelihood by a lot.
Related: The Early Sign of Pancreatitis Most People Miss
The One Thing You Should Never, Ever Do if You Want To Avoid Getting Pancreatitis, According to GI Docs
If you don't want to put yourself at risk of pancreatitis, put the bottle down! Doctors agree that drinking excessively can cause pancreatitis, as well as even worse medical issues for your pancreas down the line.
"Heavy alcohol use can often lead to an attack of pancreatitis," warns Dr. Babak Firoozi, MD, board-certified gastroenterologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. "Recurrent episodes of pancreatitis can also increase your risk of pancreatic cancer."
Smoking can also increase your risk of pancreatitis, as well as lung cancer, emphysema, COPD and a slew of other problems you've been warned about already. Smoking is most associated with chronic pancreatitis while drinking alcohol to excess can cause both acute and chronic forms of the condition.
Other causes of pancreatitis can include gallstones, diabetes, infections, obesity, high triglycerides, certain medications and physical trauma from an accident or injury, Dr. Sunaha Sohi, MD, a gastroenterologist at Gastroenterology Health Partners in Louisville, Kentucky, notes.
Pre-existing conditions like cystic fibrosis, as well as a family history of pancreatic illness, can also pose an increased risk of pancreatitis. If you want to have nightmares, know that another less frequent cause of pancreatitis is scorpion bites. (Because, you know, those weren't terrifying enough already!)
Other Ways To Prevent Pancreatitis
You already know that you shouldn't smoke or drink excessively. Aside from quitting smoking and reducing your alcohol intake, how can you keep yourself from getting chronic or acute pancreatitis?
One way is to get evaluated and treated for gallstones if you have them, Dr. Firoozi says, because aside from vices, gallstones are a leading cause of pancreatitis.
It's also important to watch what you eat. "The incidence of pancreatitis is increasing worldwide due to increased rates of obesity and gallstones," Dr. Sohi notes. As such, having a healthy diet can go a long way to preventing pancreatitis in several ways: You'll be less likely to get gallstones or have high triglycerides if your diet is heart-healthy.
Related: How Long Does Alcohol Stay in the Body?
How To Treat Pancreatitis
If you do get pancreatitis (or suspect you have it, don't panic. But do get prompt medical attention.
"Pancreatitis should be treated in the hospital. The mainstay of therapy is intravenous hydration, bowel rest and pain management," Dr. Firoozi says, though individual treatments and needs can vary by patient.
"Current recommendations support early feeding by mouth rather than complete bowel rest, depending on how much pain the patient is in and whether they can tolerate eating," he explains. "If the pancreatitis is due to gallstones, surgery to remove the gallbladder must also be performed. If the pancreatitis is severe and there is permanent damage to the gland, antibiotics and sometimes surgery are needed. Early intervention, combined with early recognition of severe complications can save lives."
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