Pancreatitis

December 16, 2020Articles

Pancreatitis is the inflammation in the pancreas.The pancreas is a long ,flat gland that sits tucked behind the stomach in the upper abdomen.

Pancreas gland has two main functions –

• It releases powerful digestive enzymes into your small intestine to help you digest food .

• It releases insulin and glucagon into your blood stream .These hormones help your body to control how it uses food for energy.

Types –

• Acute Pancreatitis –

It is sudden inflammation that last for a short period of time. It can range from mild discomfort to a severe ,life threatening illness.

• Chronic Pancreatitis –

It is long lasting inflammation . Mostly it happens after an episode of acute pancreatitis. Another cause is drinking lots of alcohol for longtime.

Symptoms –

• Fever

• Higher heart rate

• Nausea & vomitting

• Swollen and tender belly

• Pain in upper abdomen that goes to your back

• Diarrhoea & weightloss

Causes –

For acute pancreatitis –

• Autoimmune diseases

• Drinking lots of alcohol

• Infections

• Gall stones

• Medications

• Metabolic disorders

• Surgery

• Trauma

For chronic pancreatitis –

• Cystic fibrosis

• Family history

• Gall stones

• High triglycerides

• Longtime alcohol use

• Medications

Complications –

• Diabetes

• Kidney failure

• Malnutrition

• Pancreatic cancer

• Pancreas infection

• Pseudocysts

Diagnosis –

• Blood test for two digestive enzymes – amylase & lipase

• USG ,CT scan & MRI

• ERCP

• Biopsy

Treatment –

• Antibiotics

• Intravenous fluids

• Low fat diet or fasting

• Pain medication

• Surgery or procedures which help with drainage or treat blockage.

Ayurvedic perspective –

Grahni or the seat of Agni ,is the name given to Pancreas in Ayurveda. The burning sensation in pancreas is called Pancreatitis or Grahni shoph. Initially the disturbance in balance between vata and pitta ,is the main cause of this deterioration process to begin in digestive fluids.

Useful herbs –

• Turmeric –

It has anti inflammatory ,anti microbial ,anti cancer and anti oxidant properties.

• Amla –

It can be used to save the unbalanced pancreas and halting the pancreatitis to strike you.

• Dandelion root tea –

It is very effective in healing the injured pancreas , especially it eradicates it’s cancer cells. It helps in elevating the digestion of fats ,gives a push to production of bile.

• Yoghurt –

It is very low in fats and good source of probiotics.It has good bacteria,which help in keeping the immune and digestive system functioning properly.

• Sweet Potato –

It helps in releasing the sugar in a proper manner to the body.

• The Allium vegetables –

All the family of Allium veggies like garlic ,onion , Fenugreek has lots of arginine , selenium, flavonoids , oligosaccharides and sulphur ,when all these combine ,they keep the pancreas health intact.