Excessive alcohol consumption and overeating not only lead to stomach problems and "three highs" (high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high blood lipids), but can also trigger chronic pancreatitis. "Chronic pancreatitis is a 'modern disease,' and middle-aged men with extensive social engagements and constant business entertainment are a high-risk group," said Professor Chen Rufu, from the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. He stated that pancreatitis not only causes persistent diarrhea upon consuming rich foods but can also lead to complications such as diabetes and even pancreatic cancer. He advised that the most crucial aspect of dietary treatment for pancreatitis is to abstain from alcohol, avoid high-fat foods, and consume less coarse grain.
Medical Guidance/Professor Chen Rufu, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. A middle-aged man develops chronic pancreatitis due to alcoholism
Old Wang (a pseudonym), who has worked in pharmaceutical sales for many years, frequently dines and drinks with clients for work, often to the point of stomach pain. Since last year, he has experienced recurrent upper abdominal pain, which he always attributed to a chronic stomach condition and treated with over-the-counter medication. However, since the beginning of this year, the pain has worsened, sometimes radiating to a dull ache in his lower back, and stomach medication has become completely ineffective. Having no other choice, Old Wang had to seek medical attention.
During the consultation, Dr. Chen Rufu discovered that Old Wang had a long history of alcohol abuse and suspected he might have chronic pancreatitis. He recommended an endoscopic ultrasound and CT scan. The results confirmed the expert's diagnosis—Old Wang's pancreas had gradually atrophied due to worsening chronic inflammation, and stones had formed in the pancreatic duct. A condition that initially only required dietary adjustments and medication now required immediate hospitalization for surgical treatment.
There are many patients similar to Old Wang. Professor Chen Rufu stated that chronic pancreatitis can be considered a "modern disease" to some extent. He explained that modern life is fast-paced, with high work pressure and often irregular diets. Moreover, many professionals frequently engage in business entertainment, becoming accustomed to toasting each other and consuming rich foods. "Many patients often experience 'stomach pain' and indigestion, but most self-diagnose it as a stomach condition, dismissing it or resolving it with stomach medication, which often delays the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pancreatitis," he said.
Experts explain that chronic pancreatitis is a progressive damage and fibrosis of the pancreatic parenchyma caused by factors such as biliary tract diseases or alcoholism, often accompanied by calcification, pseudocysts, and a reduction or atrophy of islet cells. Its main manifestations include abdominal pain, weight loss, malnutrition, diarrhea or steatorrhea, and in later stages, abdominal masses, jaundice, and diabetes. Men aged 30 to 60 are the high-risk group.
Professor Chen Rufu introduced that chronic pancreatitis patients are mostly between 30 and 60 years old, with far more male patients than female. "This is related to the frequent business drinking, busy work, and irregular diets of men in this age group, as alcoholism and overeating are important factors causing pancreatitis," he warned. Alcohol damages the pancreas, leading to recurrent episodes of inflammation that result in chronic pancreatitis, and the continued progression of pancreatitis significantly increases the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
Experts remind individuals over 40 with a long history of alcoholism to pay attention to regular pancreatic check-ups. Once diagnosed, treatment should follow medical advice, combined with abstinence from alcohol and smoking to avoid worsening the condition. Continued progression can lead to various complications.
Experts explain that clinical symptoms are an important basis for diagnosing chronic pancreatitis. Mild chronic pancreatitis often has no specific clinical manifestations, while moderate to severe chronic pancreatitis is primarily characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and jaundice. "Abdominal pain is the most common symptom of chronic pancreatitis. It may initially be intermittent, gradually becoming persistent, and is often located in the upper abdomen, radiating to the back or both sides," Professor Chen Rufu explained. Patients' abdominal pain is often triggered by alcohol consumption, overeating, high-fat meals, or fatigue. It is also accompanied by symptoms such as indigestion, steatorrhea, and weight loss.
In addition, chronic pancreatitis can also lead to various complications, including diabetes, pancreatic pseudocysts, ascites, pancreatic fistula, digestive tract obstruction, and portal hypertension of pancreatic origin.
Experts remind that patients with chronic pancreatitis who also have biliary or pancreatic duct diseases will find it difficult to根治 (radically cure) the pancreatitis if the biliary or pancreatic duct diseases are not addressed. Therefore, surgical treatment of the biliary and pancreatic diseases should be performed simultaneously, and the chronic pancreatitis can often be cured at the same time.
Professor Chen Rufu told reporters that once a chronic pancreatitis patient has an acute attack, they should be sent to the hospital immediately for treatment. During the chronic phase, they can recuperate at home, combining dietary adjustments with medication, with the focus being on preventing sudden acute attacks. Some patients, however, require timely surgical treatment. Treatment: Dietary adjustment is key
For the treatment of chronic pancreatitis, daily dietary adjustment is key.
Professor Chen Rufu stated that the primary principle is to strictly prohibit alcohol consumption. "Drinking and eating high-fat foods are major causes of acute attacks of chronic pancreatitis or its prolonged and difficult healing, so it is essential to abstain from alcohol and consume less high-fat food. Clinically, there have been cases of death from necrotizing pancreatitis caused by excessive drinking and overeating," Professor Chen Rufu explained.
Another major characteristic of chronic pancreatitis patients is that they experience persistent diarrhea upon consuming even a small amount of oily or rich food. This is because enzymes like pancreatic lipase are produced by the pancreas. Once a person has pancreatitis, especially chronic pancreatitis, the 'main actor' (the pancreas) cannot perform its function, leading to significant difficulties in fat digestion. If patients continue to consume excessive fat at this time, it will inevitably further worsen pancreatic function. Therefore, it is crucial to strictly limit the intake of fatty foods when suffering from pancreatitis.
Based on alcohol abstinence, the diet should be rich in nutrients but should not lead to overeating. Professor Chen Rufu noted that chronic pancreatitis requires long-term conditioning and is difficult to cure in the short term, so patients often face another major problem—malnutrition due to pancreatic issues. Experts suggest that at this time, one should eat more nutrient-rich foods such as fish, lean meat, protein, tofu, carbohydrates like rice and noodles, and fresh vegetables. However, each meal should not be too full; seven or eight-tenths full is sufficient. For patients who also have diabetes, carbohydrate intake should also be appropriately controlled.
Furthermore, patients' diets should involve less stir-frying and more steaming or stewing to aid digestion and absorption. Salt intake should not be high, as it can increase pancreatic congestion and edema. Vegetables like spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, and radish can be eaten more, but they must be cooked thoroughly to soften the fiber and prevent increased diarrhea. Seasonings should not be too sour or spicy, as they can increase gastric secretion and加重 (increase the burden on) the pancreas. Fruits such as peaches and bananas without a sour taste can be chosen. Foods that are easy to cause gas and bloating, such as fried soybeans, broad beans, peas, and sweet potatoes, should not be eaten.
In addition, experts also specially remind that patients with chronic pancreatitis and chronic gastroenteritis should eat less coarse grain to avoid加重 (increasing the burden on) the pancreas and thus stimulating the progression of the disease.