Help – I’ve had an attack of acute pancreatitis

“Alcohol” and “Pancreas”.  These two words are not usually associated with one another.  But too often these words become painfully and permanently connected after a person has experienced a piercing case of acute pancreatitis. 

Perhaps you or a loved one was recently admitted to the hospital with the symptoms of acute pancreatitis: nausea, pain, fever, bloating, etc. then you probably have many questions about pancreatitis.  For example, what caused the acute pancreatitis?  Acute pancreatitis has many causes, and one of them is excessive alcohol consumption.  A common second question: what happens after the patient is released from the hospital?  if people continue to drink alcohol after their first attack of pancreatitis they are much more likely to develop chronic pancreatitis. 

A person living with chronic pancreatitis experiences an array of digestive complications, such as ongoing indigestion and severe pain. moreover, chronic pancreatitis ultimately increases the risk of pancreatic cancer.

 Can I still drink alcohol?

In a word: NO.  you are wrong if you think you can continue to drink alcohol because you’ve only had ONE attack of acute pancreatitis.  and it’s also a bad idea to continue drinking because you think that modern medicine will cure your acute or chronic pancreatitis.  there is currently no treatment in Western medicine which is able to stop or reverse the root causes of chronic alcoholic pancreatitis: the death of pancreatic cells and the slowed production of digestive enzymes.  Simply treating alcoholic pancreatitis is complicated, involves numerous steps, and requires a variety of professionals (read about treatments below).

 Research shows that a general increase in alcohol consumption may be the cause of more and more patients suffering from acute pancreatitis.  Consistently over-consuming alcohol for 5-10 years usually precedes the first attack of acute alcoholic pancreatitis.  Acute pancreatitis currently strikes 80,000 to 200,000 in the U.S. each year, but the numbers are increasing every year.  Although not all alcoholics develop pancreatitis, after a pancreatic attack it is very important to stop drinking as alcohol becomes even more toxic for the pancreas.

It has been proven again and again that it is not safe for a patient to drink ANY amount of alcohol after an attack of acute pancreatitis.  Scientific research has shown that after an attack of acute pancreatitis the lifespan of the patient eventually becomes dependent upon their ability to stop drinking alcohol.  Patients that continue drinking alcohol will almost certainly develop chronic pancreatitis due to the progressive destruction of their pancreas.

 How do I stop drinking?

Hopefully this article has already informed you of the dangers of continuing to drink alcohol after an attack of acute pancreatitis.  In a nutshell, it is VERY important for patients to stop drinking alcohol once and for all.  But how?  Some people can give up drinking alcohol with no problem whatsoever.  However, it is incredibly hard for many people to stop drinking completely.  as a matter of fact, many experts feel it is next to impossible to completely overcome alcohol addiction without the assistance of an experienced licensed practitioner – or even a team of licensed specialists.

Another hurdle facing patients and their families is the inability of the sick person to admit that they have an alcohol problem.  sometimes it helps to assess honestly the alcohol consumption in your life.  Try taking the test below, and see if you might have a problem with alcohol.

                                   Personal Alcohol Assessment Test

Answer the questions below to see if you have alcohol issues.  Answer honestly, because nobody will see the answers but you:

? Do you ever feel like you drink too much?

? do others disapprove of the amount of alcohol that you drink?

? Do you find it hard to stop drinking after a drink or two?

? do you ever feel guilty or secretive about drinking?

? Do you have to have a drink right after you wake up as a remedy for hangover or to calm your jitters?

? Have you ever blacked out while you were out drinking?

? Has drinking caused you problems with your relationships, health, or job? has it ever caused you problems with the law?

Test results reveal that one “yes” answer could mean a problem with alcohol.  two “yes” answers show a high probability of alcohol addiction.  In either case, you should make an appointment as soon as possible to discuss the test results with an experienced and licensed practitioner.  they will be able to help you map out a custom treatment plan.

 What does treatment involve?

The mind and the body need to be treated at the same time for an alcohol cessation treatment to be successful.  In addition, if the patient has just had an attack of acute pancreatitis, the health of the pancreas must be taken into account when planning the treatment. It is mean that stop drinking treatment has to be safe for sick and malfunctioning pancreas.

Basic detoxification of the body is where most practitioners begin when they start the treatment of alcoholism.  Basic detoxification generally consists of colon hydrotherapy, a special diet, the restoration of friendly intestinal flora (if antibiotics have been used to decrease inflammation), nutritional supplements and herbal teas, and drinking the healing mineral water made from the Genuine Karlovy Vary Thermal Spring Salt at home.

Nearly every type of cell in the human body, including those of the central nervous system, is affected by the long-term use of alcohol.  The brain literally becomes dependent on alcohol.  so after basic detoxification the practitioner moves on to the normalization of brain chemistry.  Alcohol dependency is broken by healing and normalizing the brain using an anti-alcohol diet, the addition of essential amino acids, herbs and nutritional supplements, magnet therapy, common acupuncture and auricular acupuncture-NADA protocol.

Hypnotherapy with subconscious positive programming is used successfully by many practitioners.  By our experience, many patients report having had good result with using custom hypnosis CDs.  These custom CDs  are made for each individual client, and can be used as long as necessary in the privacy of their own homes.

The combination of alcohol and pancreatitis ravages the body by causing severe acidity and a deficiency of vital minerals and trace elements.  Acid-alkaline balance normalization can help the patient by aiding the body’s recovery from addiction to alcohol and minimizing the symptoms of pancreatitis.  Balance normalization is achieved through nutritional supplementation, careful diet, and European healing mineral water made from the Genuine Karlovy Vary Thermal Spring Salt at home.

Regardless of the therapies used to stop alcohol addiction, it will take time for the body to repair itself after years of alcohol abuse.  Ultimately the symptoms of chronic alcoholic pancreatitis will decrease, and symptoms such as indigestion, pain, gas, bloating, mood swings, depression, insomnia, sexual dysfunctions and a variety of gastrointestinal complaints will become less and less frequent.

To stop drinking alcohol may seem impossible right now, but it is possible with the help of experienced professionals.  The most important thing to remember is that you can recover from addiction. 

Moreover, breaking your addiction will not only benefit your health right now, but it can also literally add years to your life.

 The information on this article is presented for educational, informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a qualified licensed professional.

Article Source: articlesbase.com/addictions-articles/alcohol-against-pancreas-1125971.html

About the Author

Peter Melamed, LAc, RN, Ph.D. received his medical education first as a registered nurse and was then trained as a medical doctor in Russia. He took specialized training in anesthesiology, intensive care, and internal medicine. He became interested in holistic healing through his clinical experience with herbs, acupuncture, healing mineral water and internal cleansing. He was granted a license to practice acupuncture in Russia in 1978, and from that time he combined conventional Western medical treatment with herbs, acupuncture, and other non-drug healing therapies.In 1975, Peter Melamed established Biotherapy as a natural holistic approach to healing. Biotherapy combines the wisdom of traditional Russian folk medicine, ancient Oriental medical therapies, and European and American naturopathy with cutting-edge Western technology.after immigrating to the USA and passing all the exams Peter Melamed succeeded in starting up a private practice in 1996 at the Biotherapy Alternative Medicine Clinic of San Francisco Bay Area. Get more info at biotherapy-clinic.com/GI_Chronic_Pancreatitis.html

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Pancreas is a flat and large gland locates at the back the stomach. the pancreas always plays important role in metabolism and digestion in our body, also release the digestive enzymes addicted to the small intestine. we have two types of Pancreatitis in our body: chronic and acute.

Acute Pancreatitis starts unexpectedly and stays for short period, and steadfastness itself. If person face acute Pancreatitis frequently may create sever condition and life threatening. Acute Pancreatitis is very popular in men than women. the disease acute pancreatic cancer occurs in the age of 30-40. while chronic Pancreatitis destroy our body enzymes, the enzymes that surrounded by pancreas tissue as result scarring and numerous pain.

Ordinary Causes

We face Pancreatitis through various activities such as drinking excess alcohol, gallstones, certain drugs, heredity, cystic fibrosis or high amount of fats and calcium in blood. Also congenital and autoimmune is response of Pancreatitis. more then 70% people suffer in chronic Pancreatitis cancer by alcohol that helps damage the ducts and tissues of pancreas area.

Common Pancreatitis Symptoms

Generally we face acute Pancreatitis in our upper abdomen and it stays remain constant same place, later create complex situation. we feel pain while food ingestion. Fever, fast pulse, nausea, vomiting and abdomen pain are another symptoms.

The growth of chronic Pancreatitis depend the behavior of acute Pancreatitis, if acute Pancreatitis able destroys the tissues of pancreas region frequently. From many symptoms we can know the presence of chronic Pancreatitis cancer, the symptoms includes back pain, abdomen pain, fatty stools, weight loss, nausea and vomiting.

Chronic Pancreatitis creates so many troubles such that our pancreas no longer able to generate insulin and enzymes, frequently suffer weight loss even eating healthy food as food fail to broke easily, nutrients unable to absorb. If insulin cell damage inside pancreas then diabetes help chronic Pancreatitis to develop.

Diagnosis

We can diagnose Pancreatitis through physical test and medical history report.

Analysis says, if tow or more members of our family generation had Pancreatitis, chances high to face, this condition called hereditary Pancreatitis. Hereditary Pancreatitis can happen in any stages even in childhood stage but we found chronic Pancreatitis very rarer in case of children. To diagnose the acute Pancreatitis blood test is essential, also doctor take help of CAT scan and ultrasonic test to diagnose the Pancreatitis symptoms. Incase of chronic Pancreatitis doctor test our blood, urine and stool test.

Pancreatitis Treatment

Treatment method depends on the stage of Pancreatitis, you can get wide range of treatment technique. the majority treatment helps to easily function in our critical portion body. first stage of treatment when you face pain in your abdomen and treatment process continues for few couples of week.

Some cases surgery is necessary to remove cancer portions in pancreas. in case of diabetes doctor need to advise insulin to mange blood glucose. If pancreas unable to release digestive enzymes then prescription pancreatic enzymes require to take meals and help to weight loss gain and food digestion.

In case of hypoxia, patient take oxygen by the help of face mask while a tube use in vomiting persists to remove food and air if positioned in the stomach. in minor infection antibiotics is necessary. Surgery is essential if infection is serious.

You should stop alcohol drink in order to prevent the disease Pancreatitis.

How to reduce stress and suspicion when seeking chronic pain medications.

You’re a chronic pain patient who takes several prescription narcotics to control your symptoms. Then one weekend, excruciating pain lands you in the emergency room. there, a doctor grills you about your medications, in part to make sure that you’re a legitimate pain patient, not someone seeking drugs. What can you do to help the ER doctor to believe you?

It’s not always easy to tell chronic pain patients from drug-seeking patients, says Howard Blumstein, MD, FAAEM, president of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine and medical director of the North Carolina Baptist Hospital emergency room.

Patients with chronic pain visit the ER for various complaints, he says. “Some of these patients have demonstrable disease, like sickle cell disease or chronic pancreatitis. I think that physicians are more likely to give them the benefit of the doubt when they come in and say they have pain.”

“Other patients are prone to have problems that you can never objectively demonstrate, like chronic back pain and chronic headaches,” he says. “We just have to take their word for it. You can’t look into anything and tell whether or not they’re actually having pain.”

Regardless of which group patients fall into, Blumstein says, “there are some patients who, because of their behavior or their frequent visits, still get labeled as being addicted to drugs or abusing drugs.”

What type of behavior raises suspicions? “Patients will come in and be very demanding, get into fights with doctors and nurses because they don’t think they’re getting enough pain medicine, and that causes the health-care providers to become suspicious of the patient’s motives,” he says. or the patient may ask for a specific narcotic like Demerol, or say they’re allergic to non-narcotic pain relievers.

Understanding Suspicion in the Emergency Room

“In most cases, it’s probably unfair to the patient,” Blumstein says. but emergency room doctors have strong motivations to carefully screen out drug seekers. they want to thwart drug abuse and any chance that narcotics will be diverted, for example, sold to strangers, or exchanged for illegal substances. “They have a high street value,” Blumstein says.

ER doctors have one useful tool, though. Currently, 34 states have prescription drug monitoring programs that allow doctors to check a patient’s prescription history online. “I can look up a patient and see all the prescriptions that have been filled for controlled substances,” says Blumstein, who practices in North Carolina. Doctors can use the database to corroborate a patient’s story. or they might see patterns that warn them to probe further for drug abuse, for example, prescriptions from numerous physicians that have been filled at multiple pharmacies.

“It is an unbelievably great tool for physicians,” says Eduardo Fraifeld, MD, president of the American Academy of Pain Medicine.

When inflammation of the pancreas, or acute pancreatitis doesn’t heal, or improve, but rather gets worse over time, and causes permanent damage, the resulting condition is called chronic pancreatitis. the pancreas is an enzyme, and hormone producing organ which can be found behind the stomach. the enzymes created by the pancreas are necessary for the digestion of food. Persons who have a higher risk of having the illness, are individuals in the 30-40 age group. Women are however less likely to have this illness.

Chronic Pancreatitis Causes

Acute pancreatitis, which is the ailment that precedes chronic pancreatitis tends to develop into the more serious condition, when scarring, and inflammation of the organ, inhibits its ability to produce enzymes. the result is that the body’s ability to digest fat, and other important food substances is restricted. Diabetes may be triggered by damage to parts of the pancreas, that function by making insulin.

Chronic pancreatitis is often triggered by consistent alcohol abuse, over the course of years. Continuous, or repetitive bouts of acute pancreatitis often lead to chronic pancreatitis. Experts speculate, that at times, genes may play a role in determining who gets the ailment, however sometimes the cause is undetermined.

Conditions associated With Chronic Pancreatitis

There are several conditions that are associated with chronic pancreatitis. Conditions known as autoimmune problems, which occur when the body is attacked by the immune system tend to be linked with the ailment. Pancreatic duct blockage, or bile duct blockage, also number among the complications that come with the condition.

Complications of cystic fibrosis, as well as, hypertriglyceridemia, a condition in which the blood has high levels of fat called triglycerides, are also linked to chronic pancreatitis.

Other conditions associated with the ailment are; hyperparathyroidism, and the use of some drugs (particularly estrogen, corticosteroids, thiazide diuretics, and azathioprine).

Symptoms of Chronic Pancreatitis

Since this disease can be life threatening it is important to be aware of the warning signs. one such sign is pain in the abdomen. the abdominal pain experienced with chronic pancreatitis, tends to be located, or more intense in the upper abdominal area. the pain may be intensified with eating, and may last for days, gradually getting more intense. Chronic pancreatitis pain may even be felt in the back. sometimes the abdominal pain can be eased by adjusting one’s position such as by sitting up, or leaning forward.

Chronic weight loss, that defy eating habits, digestive problems, stools that are fatty or oily, or pale or clay colored; or nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting are all signs of chronic pancreatitis.

The worsening of the condition is accompanied by an intensifying of the symptoms, which at times may seem similar to those of pancreatic cancer.

Diagnosis of Chronic Pancreatitis

In order to determine whether a patient is suffering from chronic pancreatitis a medical practitioner may order several tests. these include, but are not limited to; fecal fat test, serum amylase, serum lipase, abdominal CT scan, and abdominal ultrasound.

Preventing Chronic Pancreatitis

Identifying the factors triggering acute pancreatitis, and applying effective treatment may help in avoiding the occurrence of chronic pancreatitis. Additionally limiting, or eliminating one’s intake of alcohol may help in preventing the condition.

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