my wife has pancreatitis, what should she eat?

Answer 1

she should eat what her docto recommended, or better yet, avoid the foods her doctor told her to avoid! however, here are some suggestions:

There are some steps you can take to prevent acute pancreatitis from
occurring again:

“1. - Eat a low-fat diet of about 30 grams of fat.”

“2. - Eat foods low in fat and high in carbohydrates and protein to
decrease the work load of your pancreas.”

“3. - Avoid eating rich fatty foods to reduce your chance of another
attack.”

“4. - Eat small frequent meals rather than large meals that tend to
make your symptoms worse.”

“5. - If your blood glucose has been high, you may need to avoid
concentrated sweets.”

“6. - Limit the amount of caffeine and spicy and gas-forming foods
that you eat. These foods stimulate the pancreas.”

“7. - Alcohol and nicotine should be avoided completely. Even a small
amount of alcohol can cause an attack. Nicotine stimulates the
pancreas. All tobacco products have nicotine, so you should quit
smoking or chewing tobacco.”

Source: Ohio State University Medical Center Website
http://216.239.35.100/search?q=cache:9_k98JRUxUAC:www.acs.ohio-state.edu/units/osuhosp/patedu/homedocs.pdf/dis-cond.pdf/gastro.pdf/acutepan.pdf+foods+to+avoid++in+acute+pancreatitis&hl=es&ie=UTF-8

WHAT CAN I EAT?

“For a few weeks after an attack of acute pancreatitis you should eat
at regular intervals. It is usually better to take four or five snacks
a day than a full meal. If you have gallstones, and for some reason
your gall bladder has not been removed, avoid fatty foods such as
butter, eggs, fried foods, sausages and bacon. Following removal of
your gall bladder you are free to eat anything you wish.”

The University of Liverpool
http://www.liv.ac.uk/surgery/acute2.html

Answer 2

I am not sure what is causing her pancreas to be irritated. There must be a reason. I know the pancreas has a job to do and that is the production of insulin which is needed to help with the sugar level in the blood. if one eats a lot of sugar, their blood sugar goes way up since sugar is absorbed directly into the blood from the digestive tract. It does not undergo much change. When this happens, the pancreas has to make insulin to control the sugar otherwise you would go into diabetic shock. So, the pancreas has to work. I would suggest finding out all about her pancreatis and what is causing it and I would eat less sugar. also, I would definitely not eat or drink any of the synthetic sugars which may make it worse and plus, cause cancer which they are real good at doing since, if you read on the back of the little packets you will find the word Saccharin. Saccharin was outlawed by the govt. several years ago as a known carcinogen and I have no idea how they are getting away with still selling it. Must have a good lobbyist in wash,DC

Answer 3

I've been on a low fat high protein diet for about six months now, while I've been working out in preparation for running my first half-marathon; though I do eat skinless chicken breast or fish once a day, I also consume a large amount of high protein vegetables and grains, and I haven't had any problems staying healthy. I've actually been able to gain muscle while reducing fat, so obviously protein-deficiency has not been an issue, and I do know some vegetarians who have done the same. If she's been a vegetarian all her life, I think she already has a grounding on what forms of nutrition she needs to eat: beans, lentils, soy, rice, whole grains, sources of good fats like avocados, should all combine to give her the proteins she needs while being low fat and providing plenty of dietary fiber. Then of course there is whey protein powder, which can be used to supplement one's meals. Since this diet plan is in response to a serious medical condition, I would advise at least consulting with a nutritionist on this. Best of luck to your friend.

Answer 4

She must avoid all fatty foods... Even yogourts and milk
by-products should be 0% fat.
also avoid high glucose content foods... No desserts

Which leaves mostly vegetables and some fruit...
And better several small meals a day instead of 3 large...This will minimize the effort of the pancreas to digest.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

I had a friend that kept getting it. He was put on a low fat diet and took digestive enzymes (you can even buy them at GNC) to help digest his food and take stress off his pancreas. Make sure you ask the Dr about this.

Answer 7

She needs a diet that is high in carbohydrates and low in fat.

Answer 8

call the dr.s office and talk to the nurse and they can help more and answer the questions that you may have.

Answer 9

she should follow the orders the doctor gave her regarding nutrition.

Answer 10

Introduction

The pancreas is a long, flat gland tucked behind your stomach between the upper part of your small intestine (duodenum) and your spleen. It plays important roles in digestion and metabolism. The organ produces enzymes essential for digestion and secretes hormones that help control blood sugar levels. These functions may be affected by pancreatitis, an inflammatory condition that occurs when digestive enzymes, instead of breaking down food in the small intestine, attack the pancreas itself.

Pancreatitis can be acute — appearing suddenly and lasting for a few days — or it can be chronic, developing gradually and persisting over many years. Both acute and chronic forms are marked by mild to severe abdominal pain, often with nausea, vomiting and fever. And both can lead to serious complications.

Heavy alcohol use and gallstones are the primary causes of pancreatitis, but other factors, including certain medical conditions, some drugs, and genetic mutations also can lead to the disorder. Sometimes the cause is never found, although it's likely that a combination of environmental and hereditary factors contribute to most cases of the disease.

Mild attacks of acute pancreatitis often improve on their own or with simple dietary changes, but more severe cases may require immediate medical care to avoid fatal complications. Chronic disease is usually treated with lifestyle changes, with enzyme supplements to improve digestion and sometimes with surgery.


Signs and symptoms

Acute pancreatitis comes on suddenly, usually with mild to severe pain in your upper abdomen that may radiate to your back and occasionally to your chest. The pain may be nearly constant for hours or even days and is likely to become worse when you drink alcohol or eat. Bending forward or curling into a fetal position may provide temporary relief.

Other signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis include:

Nausea and vomiting
Fever
Rapid pulse
Swollen, tender abdomen
In severe cases, dehydration and low blood pressure, internal bleeding, and shock
You may have repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis and recover fully from each one. Nevertheless, every attack is a serious illness that can damage your pancreas and cause life-threatening complications.

Chronic pancreatitis
Ongoing damage to your pancreas can lead to a chronic condition that destroys the pancreas and nearby tissues, although it may be years before signs and symptoms appear. A few people with chronic pancreatitis never experience discomfort, but most have intermittent bouts of abdominal pain that can be severe. The pain may last anywhere from a few hours to weeks or even years. Drinking alcohol or eating often makes symptoms worse.

In addition to pain, chronic pancreatitis can cause:

Nausea and vomiting
Fever
Bloating and gas
Weight loss, even when your appetite and eating habits are normal
Oily, malodorous stools resulting from poor digestion and malabsorption of nutrients, particularly fats (steatorrhea)
Diabetes
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, signs and symptoms often don't appear until the first or second decade of life.



Fever overview


Gas and gas pains overview

Causes

The pancreas serves two distinct but equally 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 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.

What happens in pancreatitis
Mild acute pancreatitis usually doesn't 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 isn't metabolized properly, often leading to diabetes.

Contributing factors
It's likely that a combination of environmental and genetic factors play a role in most cases of pancreatitis. Nevertheless, long-term alcohol abuse remains a leading cause of both acute and chronic pancreatitis in industrialized nations.

It's 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. What's more, 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 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.



Other factors that can cause or contribute to pancreatitis include:

Increased blood levels of fats called trigylcerides (hyperlipidemia) or of calcium (hypercalcemia)
Certain medications, including corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, blood pressure lowering drugs (thiazides), and antibiotics such as tetracyclines and sulfonamides
Surgery, usually of the abdomen
Structural abnormalities of the pancreas or the common bile duct
Abdominal trauma, which can compress the pancreas against your spine
Viral infections, including mumps, hepatitis and Epstein-Barr virus
Bacterial infections
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


Alcoholism overview


Gallstones overview


High blood cholesterol overview


Hypercalcemia (high calcium levels)


Mumps overview


Cystic fibrosis overview

Risk factors

Although one of the primary risk factors for pancreatitis is long-term alcohol abuse, only a small percentage of people with alcoholism develop the 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 into the pancreas, where they destroy healthy tissue.
Ethnicity. Black Americans are more likely to develop pancreatitis than white Americans are.
Your sex. Pancreatitis occurs more frequently in men, possibly because men are more likely to abuse alcohol than women are.
Cigarettes and other toxins. Some researchers theorize that the stress of metabolizing drugs, tobacco and even pollution may damage your pancreas.
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.

When to seek medical advice

If you have intense, persistent abdominal pain, see your doctor to determine whether pancreatitis or some other medical condition is the cause. It's important to diagnose pancreatitis early before severe and irreversible damage to your pancreas occurs.


Screening and diagnosis

Because diagnosing pancreatitis can be difficult, you're 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 doctor 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
Because laboratory tests can't confirm a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, your doctor 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.
Stool test. This measures the fat content in your feces. Chronic pancreatitis often causes excess fat in your stool because the fat isn't digested and absorbed normally by your small intestine.
Ultrasound. In standard (external) ultrasound, a wand-like device (transducer) is placed on your body. It emits inaudible sound waves that are reflected to the transducer and then translated into a moving image by a computer. Endoscopic ultrasound may provide images of your pancreas and bile and pancreatic ducts that are superior to those produced by standard ultrasound. In endoscopic ultrasound, your doctor uses a thin, flexible tube with a light (endoscope) to thread a small ultrasound device through your stomach. The device then generates a detailed image on a computer screen.
X-ray of bile and pancreatic ducts. In a procedure called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, your doctor 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.
Pancreatic function test. If you've lost weight or your doctor 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 doctor is concerned about the possibility of other diseases, such as pancreatic cancer. Chronic pancreatitis puts you at a slightly higher risk of pancreatic cancer.



Ultrasound


CT scan


X-ray

Complications

Severe cases of acute pancreatitis may lead to a number of complications:

Infection. 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 the 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. These are collections of pancreatic fluid and sometimes tissue debris that form within the 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.
Abscess. This is a collection of pus in or near your pancreas that may develop about four to six weeks 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..
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.
Malnutrition and 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 aren't always effective, people with pancreatitis may become addicted to pain medications.
Pancreatic cancer. Long-term inflammation of the pancreas increases your risk of pancreatic cancer, one of the most serious of all malignancies.


Type 1 diabetes overview


Drug addiction overview


Pancreatic cancer overview

Treatment

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. Because the pancreas goes into action whenever you eat, you won't be able to eat or drink for a few days. Instead, you'll receive fluids and nutrition through a vein (intravenously).

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 doctor 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
The main goals of treatment for chronic pancreatitis are to help stop alcohol and drug abuse, control pain and improve malabsorption problems.

Therapy for chemical dependency. This is probably 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 don't stop drinking have a death rate three times higher than people who abstain from alcohol have.
Pain relief. Unlike acute pancreatitis, in which the pain often disappears within a few days to weeks, chronic pancreatitis pain can linger. In fact, persistent pain can be the biggest challenge of chronic pancreatitis because conventional pain relievers are often ineffective and pose the very real risk of addiction. But using potent pancreatic enzymes to treat pain has proved effective in some cases. 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't 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. Depending on the preparation, you may take up to eight tablets with meals — two tablets after eating a few bites, four during the meal, and two after the meal. You may also need to take the tablets with snacks. Because digestion in the duodenum often requires high doses and concentrations of enzymes, sustained-release formulas may not be effective.
Dietary changes.Your doctor may recommend eating smaller meals and limiting fats, which will help reduce your need for as many digestive enzymes.
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 doctor will talk with you about how to manage diabetes, recognize symptoms of high and low blood sugar, and prevent complications.


Prevention

Although pancreatitis isn't 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.
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 healthy diet emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, and limits fats, especially saturated fats such as butter.


Nicotine dependence overview


Dietary fats: Know which types to choose


Healthy diet decisions: Do you know what to eat?

Self-care

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:

Avoid alcohol. If you can't 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.
Eat smaller meals. The more you eat during a meal, the greater the amount of digestive juices your pancreas must produce. Instead of large meals, eat smaller, more frequent meals.
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 doctor 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're present in foods made from starches (complex carbohydrates) or sugars (simple carbohydrates). Try to get most of your daily calories from complex carbohydrates found in grains, vegetables and legumes. 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 don't become dehydrated. Dehydration may aggravate your pain by further irritating your pancreas.
Find safe ways to control pain. Talk with your doctor 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.


Alcohol and your health: Weighing the pros and cons

Coping skills

The effects of chronic pancreatitis may persist for years. By avoiding alcohol, eating well and working closely with your doctor to find appropriate medications, you have a better chance of managing the 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, many chronic illnesses place you at an increased risk of depression. This isn't 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 doctor if you're feeling depressed.
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