Ways to reduce the risk of acute pancreatitis.

Quitting smoking, drinking alcohol, and limiting sugary foods can help reduce the risk of acute pancreatitis and its dangerous health complications.

The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach and small intestine, functioning to aid digestion and regulate hormones and metabolism. Dr. Vu Truong Khanh (Head of the Gastroenterology Department, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi ) explains that pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas releases digestive enzymes too early, causing them to attack the pancreas itself instead of breaking down food. This results in severe abdominal pain and life-threatening complications such as multiple organ failure, bleeding or blood clot formation in blood vessels, pancreatic destruction, and abdominal infection. Dr. Khanh suggests ways to reduce the risk of acute pancreatitis.

Treatment of gallstones

People with gallstones, especially those in the common bile duct, have an increased risk of developing acute pancreatitis. Stones from the bile ducts can fall into the biliary-pancreatic junction, causing obstruction of the bile duct. Bile reflux into the pancreatic duct alters the pH of the pancreatic fluid, making it alkaline, similar to the pH in the duodenum. Pancreatic enzymes are activated in the pancreatic duct, leading to the destruction of pancreatic cells and resulting in an inflammatory response.

Dr. Khanh shared that individuals with gallstones who have previously suffered from pancreatitis can receive preventative treatment to minimize the risk of recurrence. Methods such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to remove gallstones when they obstruct the bile duct or the junction of the bile duct and pancreatic duct, and cholecystectomy (surgical removal of the gallbladder) if gallstones cause pancreatitis, can help.

Stop drinking alcohol.

Excessive alcohol consumption is a cause of many cases of chronic and acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis caused by alcohol consumption can progress rapidly, become complicated, and easily lead to serious complications such as shock, respiratory failure, hemorrhage, and pancreatic infection.

Dr. Khanh noted that to reduce the risk of alcohol-induced pancreatitis, patients need to limit or stop drinking alcohol. Patients should drink plenty of water, maintain a healthy lifestyle, follow a balanced diet, and may improve their digestive system by supplementing with enzymes as prescribed by their doctor. Those diagnosed with acute alcohol-induced pancreatitis must adhere to their doctor's treatment plan. Failure to follow treatment and lifestyle changes can lead to chronic pancreatitis, causing numerous health complications.

Drinking beer increases the risk of pancreatitis. Photo: Freepik — Drinking beer increases the risk of pancreatitis. Photo: *Freepik*

Stop smoking

Smoking can significantly and rapidly impair pancreatic health. As the body breaks down tobacco, toxic byproducts such as nicotine and nitrosamine ketones can damage pancreatic cells, leading to inflammation. Smokers are at a much higher risk of developing pancreatitis than non-smokers. Long-term smoking accelerates the progression of chronic pancreatitis and increases the risk of pancreatic cancer.

Nutritional balance

When the body has high levels of triglycerides, they break down into free fatty acids, increasing the risk of acute pancreatitis. Avoid high-fat foods, especially fried foods, which can burden the digestive system. Instead, focus on a diet low in fat and high in protein, vitamins, and nutrients.

In severe cases, acute pancreatitis causes bleeding, serious tissue damage, infection, and harm to vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys. Therefore, in addition to preventing risk factors, patients should be hospitalized for early detection and treatment if pancreatitis is suspected, with typical symptoms such as fever, high heart rate, nausea, abdominal swelling, and severe pain.

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