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DESCRIPTION
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas plays important roles in both digestion and metabolism. The pancreas is a 5-6 inch long, leaf-shaped gland situated behind the lower part of the stomach and extending downward toward the spleen and left kidney. It has two primary functions which is to produce digestive enzymes that break down proteins, fat and carbohydrates in the small intestine and to release the hormones glycogen and insulin, which regulate blood sugar levels. The disease can be either acute or chronic.
CAUSES
The pancreas serves two distinct and vital functions. It produces digestive juices and enzymes that help break down proteins, carbohydrates and fats in your small intestine. It also secretes the hormones insulin and glucagon, which regulate the way your body metabolizes sugar (glucose).
Most of your pancreas is composed of cells called exocrine cells that produce digestive enzymes. These cells are arranged in clusters and connected to a series of small ducts. Pancreatic enzymes and juices flow from the cells through the ducts into the main pancreatic duct, which leads to your duodenum. The last portion of the bile duct, which carries bile from your liver and gallbladder, joins with the pancreatic duct just before it empties into your small intestine.
Your pancreas also contains small "islands" of endocrine cells located within the exocrine tissue. These cells, called the islets of Langerhans, secrete insulin and glucagon, along with another hormone, somatostatin, into your bloodstream.
THE PANCREAS AND PANCREATITIS
Mild acute pancreatitis usually does not permanently affect digestion or blood sugar levels, although a single severe attack can damage your pancreas and trigger chronic pancreatitis, which destroys the cells that produce both enzymes and insulin.
Ongoing damage to enzyme-producing tissue in chronic pancreatitis leads to poor absorption (malabsorption) of nutrients, especially fats, to weight loss, and to oily, malodorous stools. And damage to or destruction of insulin-producing cells means blood sugar is not metabolized properly, often leading to diabetes.
PANCREATITIS CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
A combination of environmental and genetic factors likely plays a role in the development of most cases of pancreatitis. Nevertheless, long-term alcohol abuse remains a leading cause of both acute and chronic pancreatitis in industrialized nations. Other factors such as certain medical conditions and genetic mutations also can lead to the disorder.
The pancreas can become inflamed if digestive enzymes build up inside it and begin to attack the pancreas itself.
In 80 percent of cases, acute pancreatitis is due to excessive alcohol use. It is not clear in all instances just how alcohol affects the pancreas. But scientists do know that alcohol causes digestive enzymes to be released sooner than normal. It also increases the permeability of the small ducts that convey enzymes within the pancreas, which allows digestive juices to leak into and damage healthy tissue. Excessive alcohol intake leads to the formation of protein plugs - precursors to small stones - that block parts of the pancreatic duct.
Gallstones also can block the pancreatic duct and are another leading cause of acute pancreatitis. Formed when bile in your gallbladder becomes chemically unbalanced, gallstones sometimes migrate from the gallbladder to the common bile duct, which merges with the pancreatic duct near the entrance to your small intestine. There the stones can block the flow of pancreatic juices into the duodenum. As a result, digestive enzymes become active in your pancreas, where they "digest" healthy tissue, rather than in the duodenum, where they normally break down food.
Chronic pancreatitis is a condition in which the inflammation has cause irreversible changes in the microscopic structure of the gallbladder tissue. Repeated episodes of gallbladder infection and gallstones are often involved.
Increased blood levels of fats called triglycerides (hyperlipidemia) or of calcium (hypercalcemia).
Pancreatitis may occur because of the use of certain drugs. Certain medications may include:
- Corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Blood pressure lowering drugs (thiazides).
- Divalproex (Depakote), used to prevent seizures and treat bipolar mood disorder.
- Antibiotics such as tetracyclines and sulfonamides.
- Azathioprine (Imuran), sometimes used for rheumatoid arthritis to suppress the immune system.
- 6-MP (6-Mercaptopurine), a cancer chemotherapy agent.
Acute pancreatitis may be caused by injury to the abdomen causing trauma, which can compress the pancreas against the spine.
Surgery, usually to the abdomen.
Structural abnormalities of the pancreas or the common bile duct.
Viral infections, including mumps, hepatitis, and Epstein Barr virus.
Bacterial infection.
Pancreatic cancer, which can obstruct the flow of pancreatic enzymes.
Some inherited diseases, especially cystic fibrosis.
Gene abnormalities, leading to a hereditary form of the disease.
Sometimes the cause is never found.
MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Gallbladder Disease
FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Pancreatitis can be acute - appearing suddenly and lasting a few days - or it can be chronic, developing gradually and persisting over many years. Both acute and chronic pancreatitis are marked by mild to severe abdominal pain, often with nausea, vomiting and fever. And both can lead to serious complications.
ACUTE PANCREATITIS
Acute pancreatitis usually causes mild to severe pain that comes on suddenly, starting in or around the area of the navel and radiating to the back and occasionally to the chest. The pain may be nearly constant for hours or even days and is likely to become worse when you drink alcohol or eat. The pain typically exacerbated by movement and relieved by sitting. Bending forward or curling into a fetal position may provide temporary relief.
Other symptoms include:
- Upper abdominal swelling, tenderness and distension.
- Excessive gas.
- Nausea and vomiting may accompany pain.
- Upper abdominal pain described as burning or stabbing.
- Rapid pulse.
- Fever.
- Sweating.
- Hypertension (high blood pressure).
- Muscle aches.
- Abnormal fatty stools.
- In severe cases, dehydration and low blood pressure, internal bleeding and shock may occur.
CHRONIC PANCREATITIS
The symptoms of chronic pancreatitis may be hard to distinguish from those of acute pancreatitis, except that the pain tends to be chronic rather than coming on suddenly. In addition, chronic pancreatitis may be punctuated with periodic episodes of acute disease. In the majority of cases, chronic pancreatitis is caused by long-term alcohol use.
In addition to pain, you may experience the following with chronic pancreatitis:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fever.
- Weight loss, even with your appetite and eating habits are normal.
- Oily, malodorous stools resulting from poor digestion and malabsorption of nutrients, particularly fats (steatorrhea).
- Diabetes.
Because the pancreas is the gland that produces the hormones insulin and glycogen, which regulate blood sugar levels, pancreatitis - especially if chronic - often leads to glucose intolerance (diabetes) and digestive difficulties.
HEREDITARY PANCREATITIS
The inherited form of pancreatitis is marked by recurrent attacks of pain, nausea, vomiting and fever lasting anywhere from two days to two weeks. In the majority of cases, the acute bouts progress to chronic pancreatitis. Although the genetic defect that causes the condition is present at birth, pancreatitis symptoms often don't appear until the first or second decade of life. However, most people with hereditary pancreatitis will develop pancreatitis before the age of 20.
RISK FACTORS
One of the primary risk factors for pancreatitis is long-term alcohol abuse, though not everyone with alcoholism develops this disease. For that reason, researchers believe that more than one factor may be involved in pancreatitis, including:
- Gallbladder Disease: Gallstones that lodge in the lower portion of the bile duct can block the pancreatic duct, causing digestive juices to back up into the pancreas, where they destroy healthy tissue.
- Ethnicity: Black Americans are more likely to develop acute pancreatitis than white Americans are.
- Sex: Pancreatitis occurs more frequently in men, possibly because men are more likely to abuse alcohol than are women.
- Genetic Mutations: Abnormalities in one or more genes may predispose some people to pancreatitis.
- Other Medical Conditions: Certain inherited diseases, particularly cystic fibrosis, increase your risk of pancreatitis.
COMPLICATIONS
Most people with acute pancreatitis recover completely from their illness. The pancreas returns to normal with no long-term effects. Pancreatitis may return, however, if the underlying cause is not eliminated. Some 5-10 percent of people develop life-threatening pancreatitis and may be left with any of these chronic illnesses or even die due to complications of pancreatitis which include kidney failure, breathing difficulties, diabetes, and brain damage.
Chronic pancreatitis does not resolve completely between attacks. Although the symptoms may be similar to those of acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis is a much more serious condition because damage to the pancreas is an ongoing process. Severe cases of acute pancreatitis and the ongoing damage associated with chronic pancreatitis can have any of the following complications:
- Infection: Ongoing inflammation makes the tissue vulnerable to infection. The infection can form an abscess that is very difficult to treat without surgery. A damaged pancreas may become infected with bacteria that spread from the small intestine into the pancreas. Signs of infection include fever, an elevated white blood cell count and, in severe cases, organ failure. A fluid sample from your pancreas may be tested for bacterial infection. Pancreatic infections can be fatal without intensive treatment, including drainage or surgery to remove the infected tissue. Sometimes multiple operations are necessary.
- Pseudocysts: Small fluid-filled sacs can form in the pancreas. These are collections of pancreatic fluid and sometimes tissue debris that form within your pancreas or in an obstructed duct. If the cyst is small, no special care may be necessary, but large, infected or bleeding pseudocysts require immediate treatment. These sacs can become infected or rupture into the lower abdominal cavity (peritoneum), causing a serious infection called peritonitis.
- Abscess: This is a collection of pus in or near your pancreas that may develop after the onset of acute pancreatitis. Treatment involves drainage of the abscess by catheter or surgery.
- Respiratory Failure: Chemical changes in your body can affect your lung function, causing the level of oxygen in your blood to fall to dangerously low levels resulting in breathing problems. The effect is to reduce the amount of oxygen the lungs can absorb from the air a person breathes. The level of oxygen in the blood drops to lower than normal (hypoxia).
- Shock: This life-threatening complication usually occurs when your blood pressure is so low your organs can't carry out their normal functions. Severe shock can cause death within minutes if left untreated.
The complications common to acute pancreatitis can also occur in the chronic form of the disease. In addition, chronic pancreatitis can lead to:
- Bleeding: Ongoing inflammation and damage to the blood vessels surrounding the pancreas can cause potentially fatal bleeding. Fast bleeding can be a life-threatening condition. Slow bleeding usually leads to low blood count (anemia).
- Malnutrition & Weight Loss: Lack of digestive enzymes prevents your body from absorbing nutrients from food. The result is often unintended weight loss and malnutrition.
- Diabetes: Damage to insulin-producing cells can lead to diabetes, a disease that affects the way your body uses blood sugar.
- Drug Addiction: Because medical treatments for severe pancreatic pain are not always effective, people with pancreatitis may become addicted to pain medications.
- Pancreas Failure: The pancreas may become so severely damaged that it is unable to carry out its normal functions. Digestion of food and regulation of blood sugar - both very important functions - are affected. Diabetes and weight loss often result.
- Pancreatic Cancer: Long-term inflammation of the pancreas increases your risk of pancreatic cancer, one of the most serious of all malignancies. Chronic pancreatitis can encourage the growth of abnormal cells in the pancreas, which can become cancer. Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Pancreatitis can lead to the development of this type of cancer. Improving the health of the pancreas may help to prevent it. The prognosis for pancreatic cancer is very poor.
PREVENTION
Although pancreatitis is not always preventable, you can take steps to reduce your risk:
- Avoid excessive alcohol use. Overuse of alcohol is the leading cause of chronic pancreatitis and a contributing factor in many acute attacks. Completely eliminating alcohol is the only way to reduce the chance of further attacks, to prevent the pancreatitis from worsening, and to prevent the development of complications that can be very serious or even fatal.
- Stop smoking. Tobacco use increases your risk of pancreatitis, especially if you also drink alcohol.
- Limit fat. Eating a high-fat diet can raise your blood-fat levels and increase your risk of gallstones - both risk factors for pancreatitis. A high level of triglycerides (fat) in the blood is a factor in pancreatitis. A healthy diet emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, and limits fats, especially saturated fats such as butter.
TREATMENT
Mild attacks of acute pancreatitis often improve on their own or after simple dietary changes, but more severe cases may require immediate medical care to avoid fatal complications. Chronic pancreatitis is usually treated with lifestyle changes, with enzyme supplements to improve digestion and sometimes with surgery.
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
Because diagnosing pancreatitis can be difficult, you are likely to have several tests to help pinpoint the problem. The type of test may depend on whether your pancreatitis is acute or chronic.
ACUTE PANCREATITIS
If your health care provider suspects that you have acute pancreatitis, a sample of your blood may be analyzed for abnormalities such as:
- Elevated levels of the pancreatic enzymes, amylase and lipase.
- Elevated white blood cell count.
- Elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin, a substance that results from breakdown of red blood cells.
- High blood sugar (hyperglycemia).
- Low calcium level - high calcium levels can cause pancreatitis, but low levels of calcium in the blood, called hypocalcemia, are a common result. Electrolytes are checked for an imbalance suggesting dehydration and an abnormal calcium level.
Results of the blood tests may be inconclusive if the pancreas is still making digestive enzymes and insulin.
Because laboratory tests can not confirm a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, your health care provider may request an ultrasound or computerized tomography (CT) scan of your abdomen to examine your pancreas and to check for gallstones, a duct problem, or destruction of the gland. You may also have X-rays of your abdomen and chest to rule out other reasons for your symptoms.
CHRONIC PANCREATITIS
Diagnosing chronic pancreatitis can be challenging because some tests may yield normal results, even though you have the disease. It can also be difficult to distinguish acute from chronic pancreatitis. Even so, certain tests can help rule out other problems and aid in the diagnosis. These include:
- Blood Tests: These tests can identify abnormalities associated with chronic pancreatitis and help rule out acute inflammation. Blood cell counts indicating signs of infection or anemia.
- Stool Test: This measures the fat content in your feces. Chronic pancreatitis often causes excess fat in your stool because the fat is not digested and absorbed normally by your small intestine.
- X-ray of Bile & Pancreatic Ducts: X-ray films may be ordered to look for complications of pancreatitis as well as for other causes of discomfort. In a procedure called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, your health care provider gently threads an endoscope down your throat and through your stomach to the opening of the bile and pancreatic ducts in your duodenum. A dye passed through a thin, flexible tube (catheter) inside the endoscope allows for X-ray images of the ducts.
- Ultrasound: Ultrasound is a very good imaging test to examine the gallbladder and the ducts connecting the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas with the small intestine. Ultrasound if very good at depicting abnormalities in the biliary system, including gallstones and signs of inflammation or infection. In standard (external) ultrasound, a wand-like device (transducer) is placed on your body. It emits painless, inaudible sound waves that are reflected (bounce off the organs) to the transducer and then translated into a moving image by a computer. The device then generates a detailed image on a computer screen. This technique is the same one that is used to look at a fetus in a pregnant woman.
Endoscopic ultrasound, also known as Endoscopic Retrograde Cholanquiopancreatography (ERCP), may provide images of your pancreas and bile and pancreatic ducts that are superior to those produced by standard ultrasound. In endoscopic ultrasound, your health care provider uses a thin, flexible tube with a tiny light and camera (endoscope) on the end to view the pancreas and surrounding structures. ERCP is usually used only in cases of chronic pancreatitis or in the presence of gallstones. To perform an ERCP, a person is first sedated. After sedation, an endoscope is passed through the mouth, to the stomach, and to the small intestine. The device then injects a temporary dye into the ducts connecting the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas with the small intestine (biliary ducts). The dye makes it easier for the healthcare provider to see any stones or signs of organ damage. In some cases, a stone can be removed during this test.
- CT-Scan: A CT scan is like an x-ray film, only much more detailed. A CT scan shows the pancreas and possible complications of pancreatitis in better detail than an x-ray film. A CT scan highlights inflammation or destruction of the pancreas.
- Pancreatic Function Test: If you have lost weight or your health care provider suspects a malabsorption problem, you may have a pancreatic function test. Several tests exist, but all measure the ability of your pancreas to secrete enzymes or other substances necessary for digestion.
You may need additional tests if your health care provider is concerned about the possibility of other diseases, such as pancreatic cancer. Chronic pancreatitis puts you at a slightly higher risk of pancreatic cancer.
A pregnancy test may be performed.
TREATMENT
Medical treatment is usually focused on relieving symptoms and preventing further aggravation to the pancreas. Certain complications of either acute pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis may require surgery or a blood transfusion.
ACUTE PANCREATITIS MEDICAL TREATMENT
In acute pancreatitis, the choice of treatment is based on the severity of the attack. If no complications are present, care usually focuses on relieving symptoms and supporting body functions so that the pancreas can recover.
Severe acute pancreatitis usually requires a hospital stay. If you have complications, you may be admitted to the intensive care unit. Treatment goals include controlling the pain, allowing the pancreas to rest and restoring a normal balance of pancreatic juices.
Those people who are having trouble breathing are given oxygen.
Because the pancreas goes into action whenever you eat, you will not be able to eat or drink for a few days. This is called bowel rest. By refraining from food or liquid intake, the intestinal tract and pancreas are given a chance to start healing. Instead, you will receive fluids and nutrition through a vein (intravenously). An IV line is started, usually in the arm. The IV line is used to give medications and fluids. The fluids replace water lost from vomiting or from inability to take in fluids, helping the person to feel better. Some people may need a nasogastric (NG) tube. The thin, flexible plastic tube is inserted through the nose and down into the stomach to suck out the stomach juices. This suction of the stomach juices rests the intestine further, helping the pancreas to recover. Your health care provider may also feed you through a tube that has been passed into your stomach and intestine so that it goes past the pancreas. Placing the tube in the bowel beyond the pancreas ensures that the pancreas is not stimulated, yet you can still receive the nutrition you need. If the attack lasts longer than a few days, nutritional supplements are administered through an IV line.
If needed, medications for pain and nausea are prescribed. Antibiotics are given if the health care provider suspects an infection may be present.
Longer term treatment includes therapy for alcohol abuse, chemical dependency or smoking if these factors play a role in your pancreatitis. A team approach involving a chemical dependency counselor and a psychologist trained in cognitive therapy may be the most helpful.
When gallstones block the pancreatic duct, your health care provider may recommend a procedure to remove the stones. You may eventually need surgery to remove your gallbladder if gallstones continue to pose problems.
Mild cases of acute pancreatitis generally improve in a week or less. Moderate to severe cases take longer.
CHRONIC PANCREATITIS MEDICAL TREATMENT
In chronic pancreatitis, treatment focuses on relieving pain and avoiding further aggravation to the pancreas. Another focus is to maximize a person's ability to eat and digest food. The main goals of treatment for chronic pancreatitis are to help stop alcohol and drug abuse, control pain and improve malabsorption problems. Unless people have severe complications or a very severe episode, they probably do not have to stay in the hospital.
- Therapy for alcohol dependency. People diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis are strongly advised to stop drinking alcohol. This may be the most important step in treating alcohol-related pancreatitis. In the early stages of the disease, simply stopping drinking may relieve even severe pain. As pancreatitis progresses, continuing to use alcohol greatly increases the risk of complications and death. People who do not stop drinking have a significantly higher chance of dying of pancreatitis.
- Pain relief. Unlike acute pancreatitis, in which the pain often disappears within a few days to weeks, chronic pancreatitis pain can linger. However, conventional pain relievers can be ineffective and pose a real risk of addiction. Using potent pancreatic enzymes to treat pain has proved effective for some people. Enzyme therapy works by increasing the levels of enzymes in the duodenum, which in turn decreases the secretion of enzymes by the pancreas. This is thought to reduce secretion pressure - and hence, pain - within the pancreas. For severe pain that can not be controlled, treatment options include surgery to remove damaged tissue or procedures to block pain signals or deaden the nerves transmitting the pain.
- Enzyme therapy for malabsorption. Enzyme supplements such as pancrelipase (Pancrease, Viokase) can help treat malabsorption problems. By replacing missing enzymes, these tablets help restore normal digestion and improve steatorrhea, leading to weight gain and enhanced well-being. These supplements are generally taken before and during meals and snacks.
- Dietary changes. Your health care provider may recommend eating smaller meals and limiting fats, which will help reduce your need for as many digestive enzymes. A high carbohydrate low fat diet; and eating smaller more frequent meals help prevent aggravating the pancreas. If a person has trouble with this diet, pancreatic enzymes in pill form may be given to help digest the food.
If the pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin, the body needs to regulate its blood sugar, and insulin shots may be necessary.
TREATMENT FOR DIABETES
Chronic pancreatitis can cause diabetes in some people. Treatment usually involves maintaining a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. Some people also need insulin injections, although insulin must be used cautiously because of the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your health care provider will talk with you about how to manage diabetes, recognize symptoms of high and low blood sugar, and prevent complications.
MEDICAL TREATMENT FOLLOW-UP
The following recommendations may help to prevent further attacks or to keep them mild:
- Stop all alcohol consumption.
- Eat small frequent meals. If in the process of having an attack, avoid solid foods for several days to give the pancreas a chance to recover.
- Eat a diet high in carbohydrates and low in fats.
COPING WITH PANCREATITIS & SUPPORT
By avoiding alcohol, eating well and working closely with your health care provider to find appropriate medications, you have a better chance of managing your condition and living a more active, productive lifestyle. As is true with other chronic diseases, living with pancreatitis can cause emotional ups and downs. Here are tips for dealing with those swings:
- Maintain normal daily activities as best you can.
- Stay connected with friends and family.
- Continue to pursue hobbies that you enjoy and are able to do.
- Consider joining a support group, especially one for people with chronic pain.
Keep in mind that your physical health can impact directly on your mental health. Denial, anger and frustration are common with chronic illnesses. At times, you may need more tools to deal with your emotions. Professionals such as therapists or behavioral psychologists may be able to help you put things in perspective. They can also teach coping skills, including relaxation techniques, that may help you.
In addition, having a chronic illness may increase your risk of depression. This is not a failure to cope but may indicate a disruption in your body's neurochemistry that can be helped with appropriate medical treatment. Talk with your family, friends and health care provider if you are feeling depressed.
SUPPORT GROUPS & COUNSELING
National Pancreas Foundation
P.O. Box 15333
Boston, MA 02215
364 Boylston Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02216
Phone: 617-578-0382
Toll Free: 866-726-2737
Website: www.PancreasFoundation.org
SURGERY
If the pancreatitis is caused by gallstones, an operation to have the gallbladder and gallstones removed (cholecystectomy) is likely.
If certain complications (for example, enlargement or severe injury of the pancreas, bleeding, pseudocysts, or abscess) develop, surgery may be needed to drain, repair, or remove the affected tissues.
HOLISTIC & HOME TREATMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
For most people, self-care alone is not enough to treat pancreatitis. People may be able to make themselves more comfortable during an attack, but they will most likely continue to have attacks until treatment is received for the underlying cause of the symptoms. Chronic pancreatitis may leave you with lifelong signs and symptoms, such as pain and malabsorption of certain nutrients. However, most people with acute pancreatitis recover completely. But even if you experience no lingering symptoms, it's important to take steps to keep your pancreas as healthy as possible. If symptoms are mild, people might try the following measures:
If you develop symptoms of pancreatitis, call your health care provider. This is an extremely serious condition that requires medical attention.
Avoid alcohol completely - no alcohol in any form should be consumed. If you can not voluntarily stop drinking alcohol, get treatment for alcoholism. Abstaining from alcohol may or may not reduce your pain, but it will reduce your risk of dying of your disease.
During a pancreatitis attack, adopt a liquid diet consisting of foods such as broth, gelatin, and soups. These simple foods may allow the inflammation process to get better.
Instead of large, less frequent meals, eat smaller, more frequent meals. The more you eat during a meal, the greater the amount of digestive juices your pancreas must produce.
Limit fat in your diet. Limiting fat will help reduce loose and oily stools that result from a lack of pancreatic enzymes. Discuss with your health care provider or a dietitian how much fat to eat each day because some fat is essential.
Follow a diet high in carbohydrates. Carbohydrates give you energy to help fight fatigue. They are present in foods made from starches (complex carbohydrates) or sugars (simple carbohydrates). Eat a diet low in simple carbohydrates (simple sugars). Try to get most of your daily calories from complex carbohydrates found in grains, vegetables and legumes. High levels of sugar and fats in the blood are common in pancreatitis. If you have diabetes, a dietitian can help you plan an appropriate diet.
Drink plenty of liquids. If you have chronic pancreatitis, be sure to drink enough liquids so that you do not become dehydrated. Dehydration may aggravate your pain by further irritating your pancreas.
Find safe ways to control pain. Talk with your health care provider about options for controlling your pain, including the benefits and risks of prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers and the use of digestive enzymes.
If antibiotics are prescribed, be sure to consume kefir and yogurt, and add some form of acidophilus to your dietary program.
If you smoke, stop, and try to avoid secondhand smoke. Recent studies point to a distinct link between chronic pain and cigarette smoking.
Follow a fasting program. Fasting can improve the health of all organs, including the pancreas.
HERBAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Burdock Root, Milk Thistle, and Red Clover aid in cleansing the bloodstream and liver, reducing the burden on the pancreas.
Herbal Remedies: Burdock Root (Arctium Lappa) Powder, 4 oz. Bulk
Herbal Remedies: Burdock Root, Nature's Way, 540 mg, 100 Caps
Herbal Remedies: Milk Thistle Seed (Silybum Marianum) Powder, 4 oz. Bulk
Herbal Remedies: Thisilyn Milk Thistle Extract, Vegetarian, Nature's Way, 175 mg, 100 VCaps
Herbal Remedies: Red Clover (Trifolium Pratense) Herb Powder, 4 oz. Bulk
Herbal Remedies: Red Clover Herb, Nature's Way, 500 mg, 100 Caps
Cedar Berries, Echinacea, Gentian Root, and Goldenseal stimulate and strengthen the pancreas. Caution: Do not take Goldenseal internally on a daily basis for more than one week at a time, do not use it during pregnancy, and use it with caution if you are allergic to ragweed.
Herbal Remedies: Echinacea Immune Support Tea, Yogi Tea, Certified Organic, 16 Tea Bags
Herbal Remedies: Echinacea Tincture For Children, Orange Flavor, Alcohol Free, 100% Organic, 1 fl. oz.
Herbal Remedies: Echinacea Root Complex, Nature's Way, 180 Caps
Herbal Remedies: Echinacea Extract, Standardized, Nature's Way, 340 mg, 60 Caps
Herbal Remedies: Gentian Bach Flower Remedies Tincture, 20 ml
Herbal Remedies: Goldenseal Root, Nature's Way, 570 mg, 100 Caps
Herbal Remedies: Goldenseal Herb, Nature's Way, 400 mg, 180 Caps
Herbal Remedies: Echinacea Goldenseal Supplement, Nature's Way, 180 Caps
Dandelion Root stimulates bile production and improves the health of the pancreas.
Herbal Remedies: Dandelion Tea, NOW Foods, Organic, 30 Tea Bags
Herbal Remedies: Dandelion Root, Vegetarian Supplement, Nature's Way, 540 mg, 180 VCaps
Herbal Remedies: Dandelion Root (Taraxacum Offincinale) Powder, 4 oz. Bulk
Herbal Remedies: Organic Roasted Dandelion Root Tea, Kosher, Traditional Medicinals, 16 Tea Bags
Detoxygen is an herbal formula that detoxifies the body and oxygenates cells.
Herbal Remedies: O-2 Life Detoxygen Dietary Supplement, Trimedica, 2 oz.
Bio Rizin from American Biologics is a licorice extract that improves glandular function and helps relieve allergy symptoms. Take 10 to 20 drops twice daily.
Licorice Root supports all glandular functions. Caution: If overused, licorice can elevate blood pressure. Do not use this herb on a daily basis for more than 7 days in a row. Avoid it altogether if you have high blood pressure.
Herbal Remedies: Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza Glabra) Powder, 4 oz. Bulk
Herbal Remedies: Egyptian Licorice Tea, Yogi Tea, Certified Organic, 16 Tea Bags
Herbal Remedies: DGL (De-Glycyrrhizinated Licorice), NOW Foods, 400 mg, 100 Lozenges
Olive Leaf Extract acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and is helpful if you have an infection.
Herbal Remedies: Olive Leaf Herb, Nature's Way, 470 mg, 100 Caps
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
Unless otherwise specified, the following recommended doses are for adults over the age of 18. For a child between 12 and 17 years, reduce the dose to 3/4 the recommended dose. For a child between 6 and 12 years old, use 1/2 the recommended dose, and for a child under 6, use 1/4 the recommended dose.
PANCREATITIS SUPPLEMENTS & PRODUCTS
Supplements and products for pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, a gland situated behind the stomach.
Barley Grass Powder (Hordeum Vulgare), 100% Organic, Vegetarian, NOW Foods, 2 lbs
Barley Grass is a whole food supplement grown and processed on fertile organic Kansas soil. Dehydrated whole leaf Barley Grass includes the natural juice and fiber found in Barley grass. Barley Grass heals stomach and colon disorders as well as pancreatitis, and is an effective anti-inflammatory.Bean Pod Tincture, 2 fl. oz.
Bean Pod contains amino acids and enzymes. It gradually aids the pancreas to produce insulin.Cellfood Liquid Multi-Vitamin, 100% RDA Spray, 1 fl. oz.
CELLFOOD Liquid Multi Vitamin has an absorption and assimilation rate of almost 20 times more than vitamin pill supplementation.Dandelion Root Tincture, 100% Organic, 2 fl. oz.
Dandelion root is a natural diuretic and improves appetite and minor digestive problems. Dandelion leaves are commonly recommended as a food supplement for pregnant and post-menopausal women.Diabetes Formula Tincture, 2 fl. oz.
This diabetic formula may help to decrease the amount of insulin required by the individual.Gland Formula Liquid, 16 fl. oz.
This gland formula is used to aide in digestion, help to eliminate toxins and dissolve stones in the gall bladder.GlyMordica Bitter Melon, 100% Natural, 450 mg, 60 Caps
Bitter melon is one of the few agents which has the potential to bolster a flagging pancreas. Known for it's ability to help with liver problems, Diabetes and HIV also an excellent natural common cold remedy.Goldenseal Root Tincture (Hydrastis Canadensis), 100% Organic, 2 fl. oz.
Goldenseal is an antibacterial and antiseptic. Use especially when mucus turns thick and discolored. Use short term only with other herbs.Kidney Bladder Supplement Formula With Uva Ursi, Nature's Way, 465 mg, 100 Caps
Nature's Way kidney bladder supplement is an excellent herbal combination for the times the body may need extra supplementation.Opuntia (Prickly Pear), Nature's Way, 250 mg, 100 Caps
Nature's Way Opuntia prickly pear flowers were traditionally used as medicine for male urinary discomforts. It was also used externally as an ointment.Pancreatic Support Wellness Oil, Nature's Inventory, 2 fl. oz.
The human pancreas produces pancreatic endocrine hormones (e.g., insulin & glucagon) which help regulate many aspects of our metabolism and produces pancreatic digestive enzymes.Selenium Ionic Mineral Supplement, Fully Absorbable, 50 +/- ppm, 16 fl. oz.
WaterOz Ionic Selenium is pure liquid Selenium supplement. Selenium promotes normal body growth, enhances fertility, encourages tissue elasticity and is a potent antioxidant that naturally reduces the retention of toxic metals in the body. Selenium is crucial for the proper functioning of the heart muscle and there is evidence that it can help the body fight cancer.Spleen & Pancreas Formula Tincture, 2 fl. oz.
Use the Spleen & Pancreas Formula to strengthen and nourish the spleen and pancreas naturally.Vanadium Ionic Mineral Supplement, Fully Absorbable, 100 +/- ppm, 16 fl. oz.
WaterOz Ionic Vanadium is a pure liquid Vanadium supplement. Vanadium regulates the circulatory system, helps reduce cholesterol levels and buildup in the central nervous system, lowers elevated blood sugar and is believed to help reduce the incidence of heart attack.Vitamin C 500 With Rosehips, 100% Natural, 500 mg, 250 Caps
Nature's Way Vitamin C with rose hips offers a rich whole plant source of vitamin c.
Herbal Remedies: Pancreatitis Information
Herbal Remedies: Pancreatitis Supplements & Products
NOTIFY YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF...
You have intense, persistent abdominal pain, see your health care provider to determine whether pancreatitis or some other medical condition is the cause. In most cases, the pain and nausea associated with pancreatitis are severe enough that a person seeks medical attention from their health care provider. It is important to diagnose pancreatitis early before severe and irreversible damage to your pancreas occurs.
Inability to take medications or to drink and eat because of nausea or vomiting.
You have a fever above 101°F, chills, and abdominal swelling, persistent vomiting, feeling faint, weakness or fatigue or your abdomen becomes rigid and you experience pain when you move. You may have an infection that requires medication. Get medical help immediately.
Difficulty breathing.
You have pain accompanied by presence of other medical conditions, including pregnancy.
You have any unexpected or unusual symptoms. Some people may have sensitivity, allergies, or other health conditions which would prevent them from using certain medications, herbs, or other treatments. Some medications may produce side effects.
The health care provider may tell the person to go to a hospital emergency department. If a person is unable to reach a health care provider, or if a person's symptoms worsen after having visited a health care provider, an immediate visit to an emergency department is necessary.
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Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements
-- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 2nd Edition
Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements
-- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 4th Edition
Prescription for Herbal Healing: The A-To-Z Reference To Common Disorders
-- by Phyllis A. Balch
The Complete Guide to Natural Healing
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