What department should I go to for acute pancreatitis?

Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 23, 2024
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Acute pancreatitis can be treated at the Department of Gastroenterology in local hospitals. It commonly begins with abdominal pain clinically, so it is recommended that patients first visit the Department of Gastroenterology. The pain from acute pancreatitis is primarily in the upper abdomen, persistent, and may radiate to the back. Of course, some patients may experience nausea, vomiting, cessation of gas and bowel movements, fever, etc. For such patients, it is recommended to complete examinations such as blood amylase, urine amylase, and lipase. When necessary, an abdominal ultrasound and CT scan should be conducted to assess the condition of the pancreatitis. Diagnosing pancreatitis is generally straightforward. As for treatment, it mainly involves internal medicine pharmacotherapy, fasting, fluid replacement, gastrointestinal decompression, and suppressing pancreatic secretion, among others. Of course, if complications arise, surgical intervention by the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery may be required. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Can I eat lamb with acute pancreatitis?

Patients with acute pancreatitis must not eat or drink during the acute phase. Absolutely no binge eating or drinking should occur, as it can lead to gastrointestinal dysfunction, obstruct the normal movement and emptying of the intestines, and hinder the normal drainage of bile and pancreatic juice, thereby easily triggering an attack of acute pancreatitis. Alcohol must also be avoided, as excessive drinking can lead to chronic alcohol poisoning and malnutrition-related liver and pancreatic damage, reducing the patient's ability to fight infections and also easily triggering and exacerbating acute pancreatitis.

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What is acute pancreatitis and is it serious?

Acute pancreatitis is relatively common in clinical practice, which generally refers to inflammatory changes in the pancreas caused by various reasons, such as exudation and necrosis of the pancreas. Depending on the condition, it is divided into mild and severe pancreatitis. Generally, mild pancreatitis has a good prognosis with a treatment period of about one to two weeks through conservative medical treatment, and it typically heals on its own. However, severe pancreatitis with accompanying organ failure, such as liver, kidney, or respiratory failure, or the presence of local complications like abscesses, fever, pseudocysts, obstruction, etc., generally has a longer treatment period, poorer prognosis, and higher treatment costs. Therefore, the treatment outcomes vary depending on the severity and urgency of the acute pancreatitis. It is recommended that patients considering acute pancreatitis should continue diagnosis and treatment at a local hospital. Particular attention must be given to severe pancreatitis.

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Can you drink milk with acute pancreatitis?

Acute pancreatitis, especially in the early stages of an attack, does not allow for the consumption of milk. During the onset of acute pancreatitis, especially at the beginning, it is crucial to completely refrain from eating and drinking anything, as consuming food can lead to excessive secretion of stomach acid. The stimulation from the food can cause the pancreas to secrete enzymes, potentially worsening symptoms like abdominal pain and bloating associated with acute pancreatitis. For patients with acute pancreatitis, if the condition is stable and intestinal function is restored or in the recovery phase, it is permissible to drink some milk. However, it is important to avoid consuming foods that are overly greasy, spicy or stimulating, especially alcoholic beverages, as these can exacerbate the symptoms of pancreatitis or even lead to a recurrence of the condition. The diet should primarily consist of light, low-salt, low-fat fresh vegetables and fruits.

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How long after being discharged with acute pancreatitis can one resume a normal diet?

After being discharged from the hospital, patients with acute pancreatitis, upon re-examination of routine blood tests and upper abdominal CT scans showing complete healing of pancreatitis, may, as appropriate, consume a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet and gradually transition back to a normal diet. This process generally requires at least two months to be considered safe. Patients discharged after acute pancreatitis must abstain strictly from alcohol, avoid binge eating, and avoid overly greasy food. Greasy food can easily lead to increased bile discharge and potentially cause blockage of the pancreas, possibly triggering a recurrence of pancreatitis.

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Is the recurrence rate of acute pancreatitis high?

After recovering from acute pancreatitis, if patients do not pay careful attention to their diet, there is a significant risk of relapse. For example, they should not drink alcohol excessively, overeat, or consume greasy foods. Also, if the acute pancreatitis is caused by conditions such as gallstones, it is important to have the gallbladder removed promptly. Without gallbladder removal, the recurrence rate of the disease noticeably increases. Patients with acute pancreatitis should initially eat foods that are easy to digest and low in protein and fat, such as carbohydrates that are also easy to swallow. Once the patient's condition significantly improves, they can gradually transition to a diet higher in protein and vitamins, among other nutrients.