Healthy Habits for Pancreatic Health.

Pancreatic cancer, with its terrifying name alone, instills fear in many. Particularly, the fact that symptoms rarely appear in the early stages makes early detection even more worrisome. So, can chronic atrophic gastritis, like pancreatitis, also increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer?

 

Seventy percent of chronic pancreatitis cases are caused by long-term and frequent alcohol consumption.

 

Pancreatitis is a condition where inflammation occurs in the pancreas, which serves both as a digestive and endocrine organ. It is broadly categorized into acute and chronic forms. Acute pancreatitis induces severe abdominal pain from the epigastrium to the upper abdomen, as well as pain in the sides, and back. When lying down, the pain intensifies, but it eases slightly when sitting with the back bent. Additionally, symptoms like vomiting and abdominal bloating may accompany decreased intestinal movement.

 

Acute pancreatitis arises from the activation of digestive enzymes within the pancreas itself, leading to inflammation. Major causes include gallstones and excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol affects the activation of pancreatic enzymes and can also cause problems within pancreatic tissues. Gallstones can block the pancreatic duct leading to the duodenum or induce inflammation through bile reflux.

 

However, the likelihood of acute pancreatitis progressing into pancreatic cancer is almost negligible. The Korean Society of Gastroenterology also mentions that the association between acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer is not clear-cut. Acute pancreatitis can often be relatively easily treated by eliminating its cause. If alcohol is the culprit, quitting drinking can resolve the issue, and if gallstones are the cause, they can be removed through endoscopy or surgery.

 

The problem lies in chronic pancreatitis. When acute pancreatitis recurs several times, pancreatic cells are destroyed, leading to a significant reduction in digestive function and insulin secretion. Furthermore, due to necrosis of pancreatic tissue, protein levels in pancreatic fluid increase, causing it to become viscous. When these clumps block the pancreatic duct, cellular damage and fibrosis in the pancreas accelerate. According to statistics, about 4% of pancreatic cancer patients develop it due to chronic pancreatitis.

 

Seventy percent of chronic pancreatitis cases are caused by long-term and frequent alcohol consumption. Therefore, it's important to remember that how much you drink on a daily average is more crucial than the quantity of alcohol consumed in a single instance. In other words, if you've consumed alcohol once, it's recommended to rest for at least three days to minimize its impact on the pancreas. Developing healthy drinking habits is crucial for pancreatic health.