Pancreatitis due to alcohol can be a painful fatal condition. It has been diagnosed that a third of such cases in the US are induced by alcohol. It is common among chronic alcoholic patients. For instance, it ails about 60% to 90% of those who consume alcohol in a chronic manner. Pancreatitis alcohol occurs when one drinks about 80 gm or more of such drinks across 10 to 12 glasses. Also, the span of drinking is usually for about 6 to 12 years on average. Such drinking conditions are sure to produce symptomatic pancreatitis. 

Furthermore, the risk of developing the disease increases with an amount as well as duration. About 5% of documented alcoholics develop the disease. However, on autopsy, 5% to 10% of all alcoholics show evidence that they had chronic pancreatitis.

Causes of Pancreatitis Alcohol

Pancreatitis alcohol might not be the only reason for inducing the condition in such patients. There are other factors that play a role such as:

  • Race, genetics, environmental and concomitant risks play a role.
  • Cigarette smoking can be an additive influence, especially in alcoholics; it shows that cigarette smoking increases the progression of the disease.
  • The dietary component can also have influences; for instance, those who follow rich protein-based diets and continue to consume excess alcohol accelerate the condition.
  • As per race influences, African Americans are more prone to such a condition than Caucasians. However, this is also due to differences in their diet as well as type and quantity of alcohol they consume.

Symptoms and Treatment Solutions

Individuals who face pancreatitis alcohol usually experience pain and discomfort, especially when they consume alcohol. Those who have moderate to severe symptoms often experience pain and vomiting as well. 

Those who suffer an acute version of the condition can take medications. They are usually prescribed analgesic or other forms of pain medication. In certain cases, they develop chronic gallstones. Then gallbladder removal becomes necessary. Furthermore, patients who have severe conditions usually suffer damage to the pancreas. In this case, damaged tissues need to be surgically removed from the pancreas.

Treatment is usually a combination of:

  • Medications that help control pain.
  • Nutrition therapy.
  • Administering enzymes or insulin.
  • Low-fat diet.
  • Abstaining from alcohol.

Lifestyle Management for Pancreatitis Alcohol

Those who develop pancreatitis alcohol due to long term alcohol consumption need to first address this disorder. Also, such individuals need professional intervention to control their drinking problem. Hence they can benefit from participating in support groups or enrolling themselves at rehabilitation clinics. Treating physicians recommend that such patients become part of a withdrawal assistance program. In such programs, therapists provide individual or group attention. Also, they need to go through random and periodic screenings. This helps the therapist monitor their patients and ensure that they have not consumed alcohol. 

Recovery Rate 

It is easy to diagnose causes and treat the disease, especially in younger and middle-aged patients. The overall rate of survival among individuals is 70 percent. Individuals, however, need to ensure that they continue to abstain from consuming alcohol after receiving treatment.

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