What can and cannot be done with pancreatitis?

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

Pancreatitis and bad habits

This refers to smoking and alcohol. Is it possible to smoke with pancreatitis?

The doctors' answer is unequivocal: under no circumstances! Nitrosamines and polycyclic hydrocarbons, formed as a result of nicotine pyrosynthesis, 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 increases the activity of stellate cells of the inflamed pancreas, which, in a healthy state, regulate the synthesis and catabolism of extracellular matrix proteins, maintaining the normal morphological structure of the tissue, and in pancreatitis begin to secrete an excessive amount of fibrillar proteins, which is a predisposing factor for the development of pancreatic cancer.

Since in 72% of cases chronic alcohol abuse leads to inflammation of the pancreas, we must not forget that alcohol is also absolutely contraindicated with this diagnosis. Details in the publication - Alcohol with 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 (which accounts for about 60% of clinical cases), a plan to increase physical activity - to help restore muscle strength - should be individual and only in the remission stage. Although even during periods of "calm" disease, many experience rapid fatigue and general weakness. [ 1 ], [ 2 ]

Is it possible to exercise with pancreatitis? Usually, doctors recommend therapeutic exercise (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 subsided, you can start walking at a leisurely 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 recommendations, since the level of physical activity can vary depending on the severity of the disease and your general condition. And it can worsen at any time, including due to physical exercise.

Is it possible to run with pancreatitis? The answer to this question is individual for each patient, 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 an exacerbation of the disease caused by running, so at the slightest sign of malaise and discomfort, jogging should be stopped.

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

Is it possible to lift weights with pancreatitis? No, you can't do this, since such physical activity can cause intra-abdominal hypertension - an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, as a result of which hemodynamics is disrupted and the blood supply to the pancreas worsens. Even short-term hypoxia of its tissues against the background of inflammation leads to increased 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 pancreatitis, providing at least 1800 kcal per day.

Is it possible to fast with pancreatitis? Anyone who has encountered 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-electrolyte balance in the body, rehydrating solutions are dripped intravenously, and drinking water is allowed (in limited quantities). Also, food intake is stopped during attacks of chronic pancreatitis, and patients drink only water.

But the question of whether it is possible to lose weight with pancreatitis seems strange. After all, with this disease, digestive functions are disrupted: appetite worsens, food is not digested sufficiently due to a deficiency of pancreatic enzymes, and nutrients are poorly absorbed in the intestines (which is why pancreatogenic diarrhea develops). And seven out of ten patients report weight loss as one of the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis, which, according to some data, fluctuates in the range of 5-35% of the initial body weight. And with a severe form of the disease, aggravated by debilitating diarrhea, progressive exhaustion of the body is not excluded.

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

Secondly, to correct secondary protein and energy deficiency 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 supplements, and, in extreme cases, anabolic steroids.

Pancreatitis and procedures

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

Can an enema be used for pancreatitis? Enemas increase intestinal peristalsis, while patients with chronic pancreatitis experience diarrhea and flatulence. Therefore, in a hospital setting, colon lavage is performed only for acute pancreatitis and pancreatic necrosis with the development of acute paralytic intestinal obstruction.

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

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

Is it possible to donate blood if you have pancreatitis? Periodically, patients with chronic pancreatitis who are registered with a dispensary take blood tests: biochemical; for the activity of amylase, lipase, trypsin, liver aminotransferases; for the level of glucose, insulin, creatinine, etc.

However, an attempt to donate blood with this diagnosis will be unsuccessful at the stage of medical examination of potential donors.

Is it possible to remove the gallbladder in case of 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 whether it is possible to go to a bathhouse with pancreatitis, and also whether it is possible to take a steam bath?

Swelling of the pancreatic tissue observed in pancreatitis, as well as the negative impact of thermal stress on it, 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 - yes, 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 radiation should be avoided. But, at the same time, patients with chronic pancreatitis often develop fat malabsorption, and there is a deficiency of cholecalciferol (vitamin D). Therefore, exposure to the sun is useful, but you should not overheat.

Until recently, it was believed that UV radiation was strictly contraindicated in the case of malignant neoplasms, which pancreatitis can lead to. Recent studies (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 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 a violation of the menstrual cycle - secondary amenorrhea, which affects fertility. And in such cases, pregnancy is unlikely.

But with a mild degree of pancreatitis, it is possible to become pregnant, and this is not contraindicated, but bearing a child is associated with problems. First of all, the bottom of the gradually increasing uterus will inevitably press 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 does not receive enough vitamins and microelements. And, therefore, the fetus does not have enough of them. From this point of view, it is safer not to expose the fetus to the negative influence of maternal pancreatitis.

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

By the way, gestational pancreatitis may develop: if there is a history of cholelithiasis (gallstone disease), as well as elevated levels 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 activity

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

In cases of 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.

Work activity in case of disability of the third group due to chronic pancreatitis should not be associated with physical exertion.