Prevention and medical treatment of pancreatitis

Why prevent pancreatitis?

The severity of acute pancreatitis can vary from person to person. The disease can cause mild abdominal discomfort up to a serious and life-threatening illness. Most people with acute pancreatitis make a full recovery after receiving proper treatment.

Can we prevent pancreatitis?

Most cases of first-time pancreatitis unrelated to alcohol abuse cannot be prevented. However, preventing gallstones can help lower the risk of pancreatitis.

  • Maintaining a normal weight and avoiding rapid weight loss can help prevent the onset of gallstones.
  • When pancreatitis is caused by gallstones, gallbladder surgery is usually recommended to prevent further attacks.
  • When a drug is identified as the cause of the onset of pancreatitis, it is stopped or replaced when possible.

Basic preventive measures

  • Stop drinking alcohol. If stopping drinking is a problem, a doctor can help you or refer you to help programs.
  • Stop smoking.
  • Follow a low fat diet. Eating a diet that emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein, and limiting fat can be beneficial.
  • Drink more water. Pancreatitis can cause some dehydration. Keeping a water bottle or glass of water nearby during the day can help you remember to drink more water. 

Measures to prevent recurrence

People who have had an episode of pancreatitis caused by alcohol should avoid alcohol altogether to prevent recurrence. Permanent damage can be done to the pancreas and can lead to the onset of the chronic form of the disease.

Medical treatments for pancreatitis

Treatment of acute pancreatitis usually requires hospitalization for a few days to control the inflammation. Then the underlying cause of the pancreatitis can be treated.

Young. As a first step, it is recommended to put the pancreas at rest (stop feeding, gastric aspiration) If necessary, the patient is fed intravenously. Once the inflammation of the pancreas is under control, food can be reintroduced, first as a liquid diet. Intravenous fluids are given to prevent dehydration.

Prevention and medical treatment of pancreatitis: understand everything in 2 min

Anti-inflammatories. Pancreatitis can cause severe pain. Pain can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) if it is mild to moderate, or in more severe cases with opioid drugs (morphine).

antibiotics. In some cases, antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent or treat infection of the pancreas or surrounding tissues.

Gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy). If the pancreatitis is caused by gallstones, the gallbladder can be removed to prevent recurrence.

Endoscopic bile duct surgery. When the bile duct is blocked or widened, retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can be done to drain the duct. A long tube with a camera (called an endoscope) is inserted through the mouth into the esophagus, stomach and intestines to look for stones or any abnormalities. If necessary, surgery will free the duct or remove part of the pancreas.

For chronic pancreatitis

Treatment of a chronic pancreatic is used to relieve pain, improve pancreatic function, and prevent complications.

Treatment for alcohol dependence. If alcohol is involved, it is recommended to stop consuming it or follow a program to help reduce alcohol consumption.

Diet change. It is usually recommended to follow a reduced fat diet in combination with the consumption of pancreatic enzymes (in tablet form), in order to improve the absorption of nutrients.

Pancreatic surgery. Laparoscopic pancreatic surgery may sometimes be necessary to drain fluid from the pancreas or to remove affected tissue.

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