Samuel Chiltern answered
Pancreatitis is a condition caused by inflammation of the pancreas.
The pancreas is responsible for producing the juices and hormones which are used to digest food. There are two types of pancreatitis: acute and chronic.
Knowing which type you have is important in answering this question - as, if you have acute pancreatitis, and stop drinking immediately, there is a very good chance that you will recover fully.
You should also eat a low-fat diet and, if you smoke, cut down on cigarettes too.
Nobody knows how alcohol causes pancreatitis, but there is a clear link between heavy drinking and the disease. If you drink heavily over long periods of time, the damage this causes to the pancreas will lead to chronic pancreatitis.
Telling the Difference Between Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis
Both forms of pancreatitis are rare, but the acute condition is much more common. Symptoms to look out for include:
Stop Drinking to Recover from Acute Pancreatitis
If you are diagnosed with acute pancreatitis, you must stop drinking immediately in order to stand the best chance of a full recovery. You should avoid alcohol for at least six months, so you might need to seek help if you find this difficult to do.
The pancreas is responsible for producing the juices and hormones which are used to digest food. There are two types of pancreatitis: acute and chronic.
Knowing which type you have is important in answering this question - as, if you have acute pancreatitis, and stop drinking immediately, there is a very good chance that you will recover fully.
You should also eat a low-fat diet and, if you smoke, cut down on cigarettes too.
Nobody knows how alcohol causes pancreatitis, but there is a clear link between heavy drinking and the disease. If you drink heavily over long periods of time, the damage this causes to the pancreas will lead to chronic pancreatitis.
Telling the Difference Between Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis
Both forms of pancreatitis are rare, but the acute condition is much more common. Symptoms to look out for include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal pain
- fever
- a severe recurring pain behind the ribs, and back pain
- diarrhoea
- jaundice (skin and eyes turning yellow)
- greasy, foul-smelling faeces
- weight loss
Stop Drinking to Recover from Acute Pancreatitis
If you are diagnosed with acute pancreatitis, you must stop drinking immediately in order to stand the best chance of a full recovery. You should avoid alcohol for at least six months, so you might need to seek help if you find this difficult to do.