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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Can you drink water with acute pancreatitis?

Patients with acute pancreatitis cannot drink water or eat anything during the acute phase. They must undergo gastrointestinal decompression to suction out gastric juice, gastric acid, and gastric contents. At the same time, treatment for acute pancreatitis includes inhibiting pancreatic secretion, anti-infection measures, intravenous fluid replenishment, and maintaining electrolyte balance, among others. If a patient with acute pancreatitis experiences bowel movements, gas, relief from abdominal pain, and a decrease in blood amylase to normal levels, they may then consider drinking small amounts of water and consuming light foods like rice soup or thin porridge. If the abdominal pain disappears, the patient can gradually increase their water intake.

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What are the causes of acute pancreatitis?

There are many causes of acute pancreatitis. Common primary causes include improper diet: overeating, alcohol consumption, preference for spicy or rich foods, etc. Additionally, hyperlipidemia and cholelithiasis are also reasons, along with surgical trauma such as cholangiography, gastrectomy, etc. Other diseases can also lead to acute pancreatitis, such as hypercalcemia, diabetic coma, hyperparathyroidism, rheumatism, necrotizing vasculitis, etc.; viral infections can also cause pancreatitis, and long-term use of medications can cause acute inflammation, such as tetracycline, corticosteroids, etc. Acute pancreatitis initially presents with severe, acute abdominal pain, commonly in the left, upper middle quadrant, and occasionally radiating to the back. Subsequently, vomiting, fever, and in severe cases, shock may occur. Acute pancreatitis is a type of acute abdomen and can be life-threatening. If symptoms occur, it is crucial to seek immediate hospital treatment.

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What causes acute severe pancreatitis?

There are many causes of severe pancreatitis, including the following: The first type is alcoholic pancreatitis, which is caused by heavy drinking leading to pancreatic damage. The second type is pancreatitis due to overeating, where consuming large amounts of food, especially high-fat foods, leads to excessive secretion by the pancreas, resulting in pancreatitis. Another type is biliary pancreatitis, caused by small gallstones from the gallbladder falling into the bile duct. Stones lodged at the opening of the pancreatic and bile ducts cause a secretion disorder in the pancreas, leading to pancreatitis. There is also hyperlipidemic pancreatitis, seen in pregnant women and patients with familial hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia causes blockage of the pancreatic duct, thereby triggering an episode of pancreatitis. Another is traumatic pancreatitis, which is directly caused by external forces leading to compression or contusion injuries of the pancreas. Lastly, there is drug-induced pancreatitis, which occurs when certain medications have a direct toxic effect on the pancreas, causing damage to the pancreatic cells.

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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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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.