Dietary care for acute pancreatitis

Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
Updated on January 05, 2025
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Symptoms of acute pancreatitis include severe upper abdominal pain. During the treatment, it is essential to fast and decompress the stomach and intestines initially during the abdominal pain period. Once the pain subsides, the patient can begin a liquid diet, followed by a gradual transition to a semi-liquid diet under the guidance of a doctor. Since the causes of acute pancreatitis include binge eating or excessive alcohol consumption, patients with acute pancreatitis should abstain from alcohol and maintain a balanced diet to prevent binge eating. A light diet is preferable, avoiding fatty, greasy, fried, and barbecued foods. Additionally, it is important to maintain regular rest patterns and avoid excessive fatigue or staying up late.

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What are the clinical manifestations of acute pancreatitis?

Acute pancreatitis includes two main types: acute edematous pancreatitis and acute necrotizing pancreatitis. It is a common acute and critical condition of the digestive system, particularly acute necrotizing pancreatitis, which can often be life-threatening. The primary symptoms usually include severe upper left abdominal pain, fever, chills, shivering, vomiting, etc. There is a significant relationship between abdominal pain and eating; generally, the pain worsens after eating and can sometimes radiate to the back. The main causes could be binge drinking, overeating, cholecystitis, gallstones, or hyperlipidemia, among others. Diagnosis is usually confirmed through examinations such as an upper abdominal CT and serum and urine amylase tests, followed by appropriate treatment measures.

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Causes of vomiting in acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis vomiting has various causes. Firstly, the pancreas is a digestive organ, and upon the onset of pancreatitis, a large amount of pancreatic enzymes is secreted, which significantly affects digestive functions. This easily causes gastrointestinal reactions, and if undigested stomach contents remain in the stomach cavity for too long, it will increase stomach cavity pressure, leading to frequent vomiting. The vomiting caused by acute pancreatitis generally does not alleviate symptoms after vomiting. The treatment primarily targets acute pancreatitis, including enzyme inhibition, acid suppression, and fasting to help reduce vomiting. The occurrence of vomiting is also related to increased intra-abdominal pressure. Following the onset of acute pancreatitis, if treatment is not timely, it can lead to increased intra-abdominal pressure. This increase in pressure can affect gastrointestinal motility, causing reflexive symptoms of nausea and vomiting.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
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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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Acute pancreatitis clinical manifestations and signs

The clinical manifestations of acute pancreatitis generally present as upper abdominal pain, with some patients also experiencing fever, nausea, vomiting, and pain in the lumbar and back areas. In terms of physical signs, the main ones are abdominal distension and tenderness in the upper abdomen, with abdominal pain being the most commonly seen symptom in clinical settings. This pain is typically in the upper abdomen, persistent, and difficult to alleviate, although bending forward may provide some relief for the patient; some patients may also experience symptoms of vomiting. Diagnosis of the condition primarily relies on blood and urine amylase levels and imaging studies. Typically, an ultrasound and CT scan of the abdomen are completed, which can reveal typical changes associated with acute pancreatitis, such as effusion, etc. Treatment, for now, involves enzyme inhibition, fasting, acid suppression, fluid replacement, and other symptomatic treatments. Generally, the acute phase of pancreatitis can be controlled within five to seven days, but if severe pancreatitis is considered, the treatment period may be longer. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a physician.)

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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.