What can and cannot be done with pancreatitis?

In addition to prescribing a diet, all patients with a chronic form of inflammation of the pancreas are given appropriate recommendations regarding the lifestyle in general, that is: what can and cannot be done with pancreatitis. Some of them are worth mentioning again.

Pancreatitis and bad habits

This refers to smoking and alcohol. Can I smoke with pancreatitis?

The answer from doctors is unequivocal: no way! Nitrosamines and polycyclic hydrocarbons, formed as a result of pyrosynthesis of nicotine, which occurs during its combustion, provoke oxidative stress, aggravate intralobular fibrosis of the pancreatic parenchyma and reduce the already insufficient production of pancreatic enzymes by acinar cells.

In addition, smoking enhances the activity of stellate cells of the inflamed pancreas, which, in its healthy state, regulate the synthesis and catabolism of extracellular matrix proteins, maintaining the normal morphological structure of the tissue, and in pancreatitis, they begin to secrete an excessive amount of fibrillar proteins, which is a predisposing factor in the development of pancreatic cancer.

Since chronic alcohol abuse leads to inflammation of the pancreas in 72% of cases, we must not forget that alcohol with this diagnosis is also absolutely contraindicated. Details in the publication -  Alcohol in pancreatitis: drink or live?

Pancreatitis and exercise

Moderate physical activity is necessary for the normal functioning of the body, but for patients with  chronic pancreatitis , that is, the chronic relapsing form (accounting for about 60% of clinical cases), a plan to increase physical activity - to help restore muscle strength - should be individualized and only in remission. Although during periods of "calm" of the disease, many have rapid fatigue and general weakness. [1], [2]

Is it possible to play sports with pancreatitis? Usually doctors recommend physiotherapy exercises (with stretching of various muscle groups), yoga and walking. So the answer to the question - is it possible to walk with pancreatitis - is positive. And after the initial acute symptoms have decreased, you can start walking at a calm pace for 5-10 minutes twice a day, gradually increasing the duration of daily walks to 30-40 minutes. But you should always follow your doctor's advice, as your level of physical activity can vary depending on the severity of your disease and your general condition. And it can worsen at any time, including due to exercise.

Can you run with pancreatitis? For each patient, the answer to this question is individual, and if the condition is satisfactory, you can try jogging - no longer than a quarter of an hour a day. However, no one is immune from the exacerbation of the disease provoked by running, therefore, at the slightest sign of malaise and discomfort, jogging should be stopped.

Is it possible to download the press with pancreatitis? Given the anatomical position of the pancreas and the state of its parenchyma in the presence of an inflammatory process, doctors have a negative attitude to this type of exercise - with tension in the muscles of the abdominal wall.

Is it possible to lift weights with pancreatitis? No, this cannot be done, since such physical activity can cause intra-abdominal hypertension - an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, as a result of which hemodynamics are disturbed and the supply of blood to the pancreas worsens. Even a short hypoxia of its tissues against the background of inflammation leads to an increase in dysfunction.

In addition, there is an increase in pancreatobiliary pressure - with compression of the pancreatic and bile ducts, a decrease in the tone of the sphincter of Oddi and reflux of the contents of the duodenum.

Pancreatitis, nutrition and body weight

Patients are prescribed  diet No. 5 for pancreatitis  or  a diet for exacerbation of pancreatitisproviding at least 1800 kcal per day.

Is it possible to starve with pancreatitis? Anyone who has experienced  acute pancreatitis in adults knows that the patient should not eat for the first three to five days. During this period, in order to avoid disturbances in the water and electrolyte balance in the body, rehydrating solutions are dripped into / into, it is allowed to drink water (in limited quantities). Also stops eating during attacks of chronic pancreatitis, and patients consume only water.

But the question - is it possible to lose weight with pancreatitis - seems strange. Indeed, with this disease, digestive functions are disturbed: appetite worsens, food is not digested enough due to a deficiency of pancreatic enzymes, and nutrients are poorly absorbed in the intestine (which causes pancreatogenic diarrhea). And in seven out of ten patients, weight loss is noted as one of the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis, which, according to some reports, ranges from 5-35% of the initial body weight. And in a severe form of the disease, aggravated by debilitating diarrhea, progressive exhaustion of the body is not excluded.

Is it possible to recover from pancreatitis? To restore body weight, that is, to recover from pancreatitis, firstly, enzyme preparations are taken to compensate for the deficiency of endogenous pancreatic enzymes; more in the material -  Effective drugs for pancreatitis .

Secondly, in order to correct the secondary insufficiency of proteins and energy associated with impaired absorption of nutrients in the intestine, they resort to enriching the diet with protein products (in the form of cocktails), taking vitamin and mineral preparations, and in extreme cases,  anabolic steroids .

Pancreatitis and procedures

Is it possible to apply ice in chronic pancreatitis? And with acute pancreatitis, and with relapses of the chronic form of inflammation of the pancreas, it is imperative to apply an ice pack on the stomach - on the hypochondrium on the left. This helps reduce pain and inflammatory swelling. For more details, see -  How to relieve an attack of pancreatitis?

Is it possible to do an enema with pancreatitis? Enemas increase intestinal motility, while patients with chronic pancreatitis have diarrhea and flatulence. Therefore, in a hospital, washing (lavage) of the large intestine is carried out only in case of acute pancreatitis and pancreatic necrosis with the development of acute paralytic ileus.

Is it possible to do tubage with pancreatitis? If inflammation of the pancreas is chronic, then in the periods between exacerbations - to activate the outflow of bile from the gallbladder - tubage can be performed (using a probe or a blind method).

Is it possible to massage with pancreatitis? With this disease of the chronic course of the form, therapeutic massage can be used for relaxation - reducing stress and relieving muscle discomfort. Studies have shown that massage for pancreatitis can improve the overall well-being of patients.

Is it possible to donate blood with pancreatitis? Periodically, patients with chronic pancreatitis, who are registered in the dispensary, take blood tests: biochemical; on the activity of amylase, lipase, trypsin, hepatic aminotransferases; on the level of glucose, insulin, creatinine, etc.

But an attempt to donate blood as a donor with this diagnosis will be unsuccessful at the stage of conducting a medical examination of potential donors.

Is it possible to remove the gallbladder with pancreatitis? It is possible, and such an operation in the form of laparoscopic cholecystectomy is practiced when conservative therapy is ineffective in cases of so-called cholecystopancreatitis - when there is simultaneous inflammation of the gallbladder and pancreas.

Pancreatitis: from the bathhouse to the beach

The main question, of course, is it possible to go to the bath with pancreatitis, and is it also possible to take a steam bath?

The swelling of pancreatic tissues observed in pancreatitis, as well as the negative impact on it of heat stress received by the body in the bath and steam room, should convince avid lovers of bath procedures with this diagnosis to replace them with taking a shower.

Is it possible to take a bath with pancreatitis? Not very hot, and not longer than 10 minutes - you can, provided that the level of general exhaustion of the body does not cause dizziness.

Is it possible to sunbathe with pancreatitis? If the skin is very dry and flaky, then ultraviolet light should be avoided. But, at the same time, patients with chronic pancreatitis often develop fatty malabsorption, and there is a lack of cholecalciferol (vitamin D). Therefore, exposure to the sun is useful, but you do not need to overheat.

More recently, it was believed that with a malignant neoplasm, to which pancreatitis can lead, UV irradiation is categorically contraindicated. Recent studies (which were conducted by Japanese and Turkish doctors) have shown that living in areas with higher levels of ultraviolet radiation in the environment can reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer by almost a third.

Pancreatitis: sex and pregnancy

Is it possible to have sex with pancreatitis? During the period of remission - it is possible, provided that pancreatitis does not have such a complicating circumstance as diabetes mellitus, which is detected, on average, in 60% of patients.

Patients with inflammation of the pancreas are interested in whether it is possible to become pregnant and give birth with pancreatitis. The average severity of chronic inflammation of the pancreas in women is often accompanied by menstrual irregularities - secondary amenorrhea, which affects fertility. And in such cases, pregnancy is hardly possible.

But with a mild degree of pancreatitis, it is possible to become pregnant, and this is not contraindicated, however, bearing a child is associated with problems. First of all, the bottom of the gradually increasing uterus will inevitably put pressure on the hypochondrium and the pancreas located there - further complicating its functioning.

Secondly, the lack of pancreatic enzymes reduces the absorption of not only such nutrients as fats, proteins, carbohydrates: the mother's body also receives less vitamins and minerals. And, therefore, there are not enough of them and the fetus. From this point of view, it is safer not to expose the fetus to the negative effects of maternal pancreatitis.

In addition, in the first trimester there is a risk of spontaneous abortion, and during the third trimester, hemodynamic disturbances are possible - disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome.

By the way, the development of gestational pancreatitis is possible: in the presence of a history of cholelithiasis (cholelithiasis), as well as an elevated level of triglycerides in the blood (hypertriglyceridemia), which often develops in women who take oral contraceptives for a long time. More information in the article -  Pancreas during pregnancy

Pancreatitis and work

Is it possible to work with pancreatitis? With a mild form of the disease, you can perform work without any special negative consequences (if you take prescribed drugs and follow a diet).

With 2-3 degrees of chronic pancreatitis and the presence of concomitant severe symptoms, patients are referred to a medical and social expert commission - to determine the disability group.

Labor activity with disability of the third group for chronic pancreatitis should not be associated with physical activity.