PANCREATITIS
Pancreatitis
Introduction:
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ that produces several enzymes to aid in the digestion of food, as well as the hormone insulin, which controls the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The pancreas is located in the upper abdomen, behind the stomach. When the pancreas is inflamed, the body is not able to absorb all the nutrients it needs.
Pancreatitis may be either acute (sudden and severe) or chronic. Both types of pancreatitis can cause bleeding and tissue death in or around the pancreas. Mild attacks of acute pancreatitis can get better on their own, or by changing your diet. In the case of recurring pancreatitis, however, long-term damage to the pancreas is common, sometimes leading to malnutrition and diabetes.
Necrotizing pancreatitis (in which pancreatic tissue dies) can lead to cyst-like pockets and abscesses. Because of the location of the pancreas, inflammation spreads easily. In severe cases, fluid containing toxins and enzymes leaks from the pancreas through the abdomen. This can damage blood vessels and lead to internal bleeding, which may be life threatening.
Signs and Symptoms:
Common signs and symptoms of pancreatitis include the following:
· Mild-to-severe, ongoing, sharp pain in the upper abdomen that may radiate to back or chest
· Nausea and vomiting
· Fever
· Sweating
· Abdominal tenderness
· Rapid heart rate
· Rapid breathing
· Oily stools (chronic pancreatitis)
What Causes It?:
There are several possible causes of pancreatitis. The most common are gallstones, which block the duct of the pancreas (for acute pancreatitis), and excessive alcohol consumption (for chronic pancreatitis).
· Certain drugs, including azathioprine, sulfonamides, corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and antibiotics such as tetracycline
· Infection with mumps, hepatitis virus, rubella, Epstein-Barr virus (the cause of mononucleosis), and cytomegalovirus
· Abnormalities in the structure of the pancreas or the pancreatic or bile ducts, including pancreatic cancer
· High levels of triglycerides (fats) in the blood
· Surgery to the abdomen, heart, or lungs that temporarily cuts off blood supply to the pancreas, damaging tissue
· Hereditary diseases, such as cystic fibrosis
· Injury to the abdomen
Who's Most At Risk?:
People with these conditions or characteristics have a higher risk for pancreatitis:
· Biliary tract disease
· Binge alcohol use and chronic alcoholism
· Recent surgery
· Family history of high triglycerides
· Age (most common ages 35 - 64)
African-Americans are at higher risk than Caucasians and Native Americans.
What to Expect at Your Provider's Office:
Your health care provider will examine you for signs and symptoms of pancreatitis. Your health care provider may also perform blood tests, take x-rays, and use ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scans, and other procedures to determine the severity of your condition and decide which treatment options are most appropriate. In the case of chronic pancreatitis, your doctor may test your stool for excess fat (which your body, lacking the enzymes produced by the pancreas, is not able to absorb) and may order pancreatic function tests to check whether your pancreas can secrete the necessary enzymes.
Treatment Options:
Treatment Plan
Acute pancreatitis may require you to be admitted to the hospital, where you will receive medication for pain. You will also fast, to allow the pancreas to rest and stabilize. You will receive intravenous fluids and nutrition (parenteral nutrition). If you have gallstones, your doctor may recommend surgery or other procedures to remove them.
People with chronic pancreatitis may require treatment for alcohol addiction, if that is the cause. Treatment also includes pain management, enzyme supplements, and dietary changes. Treatment for patients who have pancreatitis due to high triglyceride levels includes weight loss, exercise, eating a low-fat diet, controlling blood sugar (if you have diabetes), and avoiding alcohol and medications that can raise triglycerides, such as thiazide diuretics and beta-blockers.
Drug Therapies
You may be given painkillers. Antibiotics may be given to treat or prevent infection in some cases. Enzyme supplements, such as pancrelipase (Lipram, Pancrease, Viokase), may be prescribed to help your body absorb food better.
Surgical and Other Procedures
Different types of surgical procedures may be necessary, depending on the cause of the pancreatitis. With infected pancreatic necrosis (tissue death), surgery is virtually always required to remove damaged and infected tissue. Surgery may also be required to drain an abscess. For chronic pancreatitis with pain that won't respond to treatment, a section of the pancreas may need to be removed. If the pancreatitis is a result of gallstones, a procedure called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) may be necessary. In ERCP, a specialist inserts a tube-like instrument through the mouth and down into the duodenum to access the pancreatic and biliary ducts.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies
It is important to get conventional medical treatment for pancreatitis as soon as possible. A severe attack can be life-threatening if left untreated. Most alternative therapies have not yet been studied for use specifically in pancreatitis, although some evidence indicates that antioxidants may have beneficial effects. Several therapies, though, may reduce the risk of developing pancreatitis or ease some of the symptoms when used in conjunction with conventional care. You should never treat pancreatitis without your doctor's supervision.
Numerous studies have explored the role of oxidative stress in pancreatitis. Oxidative stress results from the production of free radicals, which are by-products of metabolism that are harmful to cells in the body. Antioxidants help rid the body of harmful free radicals. Low antioxidant levels in the blood (including reduced amounts of vitamins A, C, and E; selenium; and carotenoids) may lead to chronic pancreatitis due to the destructive effects of increased free radicals. Antioxidant deficiency and the risk of developing pancreatitis may be particularly linked in areas of the world with low dietary intake of antioxidants. In addition, the cooking and processing of foods may destroy antioxidants. Alcohol-induced pancreatitis is linked to low levels of antioxidants as well. There is also some evidence that antioxidant supplements may eliminate or minimize oxidative stress and help alleviate pain from chronic pancreatitis.
Nutrition and Supplements
People who are susceptible to pancreatitis should avoid any alcohol consumption.
Some evidence suggests that increasing your intake of antioxidants (found in fruits and green vegetables) may help protect against pancreatitis or alleviate symptoms of the condition. Several studies have explored the role of free radicals, which are by-products of metabolism that are harmful to cells in the body, in pancreatitis. Antioxidants are often recommended to help rid the body of free radicals, and low levels of antioxidants in the blood may make someone more likely to develop pancreatitis. Alcohol-induced pancreatitis is linked to low levels of antioxidants as well.
Following these nutritional tips may help reduce risks and symptoms:
· Eliminate all suspected food allergens, including dairy (milk, cheese, eggs, and ice cream), wheat (gluten), soy, corn, preservatives, and chemical food additives. Your health care provider may want to test you for food allergies.
· Eat foods high in B-vitamins and iron, such as whole grains (if no allergy), dark leafy greens (such as spinach and kale), and sea vegetables.
· Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits (such as blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes), and vegetables (such as squash and bell pepper).
· Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and sugar.
· Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy) or beans for protein.
· Use healthy oils for cooking, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
· Reduce significantly or eliminate trans-fatty acids, found in commercially baked goods such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
· Avoid coffee and other stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco.
· Drink 6 - 8 glasses of filtered water daily.
· Exercise moderately for 30 minutes daily, 5 days a week.
You may address nutritional deficiencies with the following supplements:
· A multivitamin daily, containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, D, the B-complex vitamins, and trace minerals such as magnesium, calcium, zinc and selenium.
· Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, 1 - 2 capsules or 1 - 2 tablespoonfuls oil daily, to help decrease inflammation and improve immunity.
· Coenzyme Q10, 100 - 200 mg at bedtime, for antioxidant and immune activity.
· Vitamin C, 1 - 6 gm daily, as an antioxidant. Vitamin C may interfere with vitamin B12, so take doses at least 2 hours apart. Lower the dose if diarrhea develops.
· Probiotic supplement (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and other beneficial bacteria), 5 - 10 billion CFUs (colony forming units) a day, for maintenance of gastrointestinal and immune health. Some probiotic supplements may need refrigeration.
· Alpha-lipoic acid, 25 - 50 mg twice daily, for antioxidant support.
· Resveratrol (from red wine), 50 - 200 mg daily, for antioxidant effects.
Herbs
Herbs are generally available as standardized, dried extracts (pills, capsules, or tablets), teas, or tinctures/liquid extracts (alcohol extraction, unless otherwise noted). Mix liquid extracts with favorite beverage. Dose for teas is 1 - 2 heaping teaspoonfuls/cup water steeped for 10 - 15 minutes (roots need longer). Although herbs should never be used alone to treat pancreatitis, some herbs may be helpful along with conventional medical treatment.
· Green tea (Camellia sinensis) standardized extract, 250 - 500 mg daily. Use caffeine-free products. You may also prepare teas from the leaf of this herb. Green tea has powerful antioxidant properties.
· Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) standardized extract, 400 mg daily, for antioxidant protection.
· Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) standardized extract, 150 - 300 mg one to three times daily, for immune support. Rhodiola is an "adaptogen" and helps the body adapt to various stresses.
· Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) standardized extract, 20 mg three times a day, for inflammation and immune stimulation.
· Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), 150 - 300 mg two to three times daily, for inflammation and for immunity. You may also take a tincture of this mushroom extract, 30 - 60 drops two to three times a day.
· Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis) powder, 3 - 6 grams daily in favorite beverage for antioxidant support. Emblica is a traditional Ayurvedic medicinal plant used to treat pancreatic disorders. It is a powerful antioxidant and one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C. Animal studies suggest that this herb can be used to prevent pancreatitis.
· Grape seed extract (Vinis vinifera) standardized extract, 100 - 300 mg daily for antioxidant support.
Individual case reports suggest that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can be effective for preventing and treating pancreatitis. To determine the right regimen, consult a skilled herbalist or licensed and certified practitioner of TCM, and keep all of your health care providers informed of any supplements, herbs, and medications you are taking.
You may be given:
· Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
· Ginger root (Zingiber officinale)
· Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng)
· Peony root (Paeonia officinalis)
· Cinnamon Chinese bark (Cinnamomum verum)
Acupuncture
Studies evaluating acupuncture as a treatment for pancreatitis show mixed results. Some case reports say that acupuncture helped relieve pain from pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. But a review of several studies finds mixed evidence that acupuncture and electroacupuncture (small electrical currents applied through acupuncture needles) are effective for pancreatitis.
Prognosis/Possible Complications:
Possible complications of pancreatitis include:
· Infection of the pancreas
· Cyst-like pockets that can become infected, bleed, or rupture
· The failure of several organs (heart, kidney, lungs) and shock due to toxins in the blood
· Type II diabetes
In mild cases of pancreatitis, where only the pancreas is inflamed, the prognosis is excellent. In chronic pancreatitis, recurring attacks tend to become more severe.
Following Up:
Patients with chronic pancreatitis should eat a low-fat diet, abstain from alcohol, and avoid abdominal trauma to prevent acute attacks and further damage. Those with high triglyceride levels should lose weight, exercise, and avoid medications, such as thiazide diuretics and beta-blockers, that increase triglyceride levels. Given reports suggesting that oxidative stress may contribute to the development of pancreatitis, and that antioxidant supplementation may be of some benefit, health care providers may begin recommending antioxidant nutrients to their patients with pancreatitis.
Alternative Names:
Pancreas - inflammation of
· Reviewed last on: 8/25/2008
· Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD, private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by Ernest B. Hawkins, MS, BSPharm, RPh, Integrative Health Resources, Asheville, NC.
Supporting Research
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McClave SA, Chang WK, Dhaliwal R, et al. Nutrition support in acute pancreatitis: a systematic review of the literature. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2006 Mar-Apr;30(2):143-56.
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I have posted this article on my web blog because I need to have this information readily available at all times. My father is battling Pancreatitis and the suggestions in this article are wonderful and right in line with the nutritional program we are focusing on with my Dad. I have linked some of the nutrients listed above with pure whole food products, some of which we are using in my Dad's program which have been so instrumental to his health improving.
We have also found a few other formulas to be very beneficial. Please email me if you would like more information.
Karen Herrmann-Doolan, NSP District Manager
www.herbsplus4health.com
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posted by Karen Herrmann-DeSantis, Herb Specialist, Natural Health Educator | 1:20 AM
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