Chronic Pacreas or Gallbladder Problem

Supportive Management

  • Avoid high-cholesterol food (e.g. eggs, butter, fish, bacon, red meat, liver cheese, shrimp, shellfish, pastries, fast food).
  • Avoid high-fat food (cheese, cream, processed meat, butter, hydrogenated oils such as palm oil, fast food).
  • Avoid food made with refined sugar (white sugar) such as cake, candy, doughnut, other sweets, fruit-flavored drinks, soda, and the like.
  • Adopt a healthy, high-fiber diet composed of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains (e.g. oats, brown rice, whole wheat bread).
  • Take smaller, frequent meals. During flare-ups, if symptoms are mild, adopt a liquid diet (may include soups and broths).
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity increases risk for gallstones.
    • Calculate body mass index (BMI) and see if it’s within normal range (5 to 24.99). If BMI is greater than 24.99, take steps to reduce weight.
    • Avoid crash diets. Avoid skipping meals. Rapid loss of weight could lead to greater production of cholesterol by the liver, which may lead to formation of gallstones, which in turn, may further worsen pancreatitis. Lose weight gradually, around 0.5 – 1 kg per week.
    • Note: BMI can be calculated using the formula: kg/meter2
  • Exercise regularly.
    • Do exercises at least 30 minutes a day. Even brisk walking is a good exercise. Do brisk walking at least 30 minutes a day and 5 times a week.
    • Do physical activities that you enjoy (e.g. swimming, badminton, basketball, cycling, jogging). Make exercises a pleasant experience by tagging along friends and family.
  • Drink 8 glasses of water each day (around 2 liters of water per day).
  • Keep away from drinking alcohol.
  • Stop smoking.

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Herbal Medicine

  • Turmeric and Honey
    • For alleviation of biliary colic; improves bile flow; anti-inflammatory
    • Grind the turmeric. Mix one teaspoon of turmeric with one tablespoon of honey in a warm cup of water. Take this for 30 days.
  • Fruits, Vegetables, and Whole Grains
    • For prevention of biliary colic
    • Include these high-fiber food in the diet. Fruits rich in fiber include avocados, guavas, kiwi, bananas, apples, berries, oranges, papaya, mangoes, pineapples, and grapes. For vegetables, choose especially the dark, leafy ones. Whole grains include oats, brown rice, and whole wheat bread.
  • Anis (Licorice) Root
    • Anti-inflammatory
    • Boil 20 grams of licorice root in 1 liter of water for 15 minutes. Strain. Divide the resulting decoction in 4-5 doses and take throughout the day.
  • Coffee
    • For reduction of risk for developing gallstones.
    • Drink 2-3 cups of coffee a day.

Recommendation

Consult doctor:

For appropriate diagnosis and management of condition.

Consult doctor immediately if affected person is experiencing any of the following:

  • Abdominal pain so severe he/she can’t sit still or find a comfortable position
  • High fever (over 38 degrees Celsius) with or without chills
  • Yellowish discoloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes
  • Inability to keep food or fluids down due to nausea or vomiting

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