What causes constipation in pancreatitis?
Constipation with pancreatitis what to do? With this disease, constipation may occur due to poor nutrition. Many patients with an inflamed pancreas do not adhere to all the dietary recommendations of their doctor. Therefore, disorders occur in the gastrointestinal tract.
When the pancreas is diseased, intestinal function is disrupted, which leads to symptoms such as constipation.
Constipation with pancreatitis, additional factors:
- This unpleasant problem arises with a sedentary lifestyle.
- Abuse of bad habits.
- If the patient has concomitant diseases, for example: diabetes.
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It should be noted that bad habits include not only drinking alcohol, but also smoking and overeating. Alcohol and nicotine injure the pancreas; if you do not quit these bad habits, the structure of the pancreas is disrupted.
Problems with stool and their causes
Despite the fact that it is more common to consider diarrhea syndrome to be a manifestation of the described pathology, constipation in acute pancreatitis or in the case of a chronic form is common.
But these are not all the variants of stool and defecation disorders that occur during inflammation of the organ. The appearance of creatorrhea and steatorrhea is typical. This is a type of stool disorder when undigested fats, fiber, and fiber can be found in it.
Several pathogenetic mechanisms underlie the syndromes under consideration. Firstly, exocrine function is disrupted. This is a mass of enzymes produced by still intact and functioning pancreatocytes:
- lipase, which breaks down fats into fatty acids and other simple compounds;
- trypsin;
- chymotrypsin (the last two enzymes are involved in the hydrolysis of proteins to amino acids);
- elastase, necessary in the breakdown of fibers;
- carboxypeptidase.
Due to progressive fibrosis, the number of enzymes becomes less. A certain amount of undegraded compounds remains in the intestine. They are usually osmotically active. At first, patients experience diarrhea for this reason.
Over time or simultaneously with a violation of exocrine activity, pathology of the gland occurs as an organ of internal secretion. Pancreatogenic diabetes mellitus develops. Its main manifestation is considered to be elevated blood glucose levels. Sugar increases in urine and intestinal contents. The latter fact causes drying of feces. They are viscous and dense.
Due to such changes, persital contractions of the intestine weaken. It acquires a tendency towards hypo- and even atony. Against this background, constipation develops.
Principles of treatment
Constipation with pancreatitis, what to do? First of all, it is necessary to follow all the recommendations of the treating doctor and get rid of provoking factors.
To ensure that the pathology does not develop into the form of acute intestinal obstruction, it is necessary to begin its treatment in a timely manner.
Nutrition plays a major role in the fight against constipation. Dietary nutrition is prescribed by doctors for both acute and chronic illness.
In order to avoid constipation during chronic pancreatitis, it is necessary to adhere to nutrition throughout your life.
First trip to the doctor
It is recommended to visit a doctor if:
- stool retention for more than three days,
- delay of two days, with weakness, febrile symptoms or pain.
The doctor collects anamnesis, on the basis of which he refers for diagnostic procedures. When selecting a treatment method, the following is taken into account: the type of pancreatitis; time since the last acute episode; concomitant diseases that the patient suffers from. Attention is also paid to adjusting the diet.
What to include in your diet:
- Cereal porridges, it is recommended to cook them in water.
- Dietary meat and fish.
- Steamed vegetables.
- Drink: compote, jelly.
Eliminate high-calorie foods, spicy and sour foods from your diet. If you have pancreatitis, you should also not eat smoked, fried, fatty cottage cheese, as well as those foods that cause increased gas formation.
Also read: Symptoms of pancreatitis
For constipation, the intestines can be cleansed with an enema. Every patient should understand that constipation occurs due to a specific reason. If the problem arose due to diabetes mellitus, then in this case diet and medications are prescribed that will help bring the sugar level back to normal. Therefore, doctors select the correct insulin therapy for such patients.
Constipation with pancreatitis, what to do? In addition to the measures described above, additional procedures must be carried out. A patient with pancreatitis periodically needs to visit sanatorium centers, engage in physical therapy, and can undergo a massage course. Such simple measures will help eliminate the unpleasant signs of pancreatitis, and will also significantly improve your general condition.
Recommendations from Elena Malysheva in the special issue “Live Healthy!” on how to overcome pacreatitis using the healing effects of natural remedies.
As for medications, this is, of course, the main stage of treatment. With drug treatment, doctors prescribe cleansing enemas and, if necessary, laxatives to patients. Another rule that a patient with pancreatitis should remember is to maintain a drinking regime. For constipation, you need to drink at least 2 liters of fluid per day.
If constipation occurs due to pancreatitis, then first doctors prescribe gentle medications that will help digest food.
Duphalac syrup for pancreatitis is used as a remedy that improves the condition of the gastrointestinal tract.
The drug Duphalac has proven itself well. It has a laxative effect and has a positive hypersmotic effect on the body. Due to the fact that the drug contains lactulose, Duphalac is able to stimulate the physiological act of peristalsis, and also improves the absorption of calcium salts.
FORLAX, by increasing the liquid content in chyme and softening its consistency, facilitates the act of defecation.
The second drug has also proven itself - Forlax. The main component of the drug binds to a water molecule in the intestines. This mechanism allows you to retain moisture and thereby increases the volume of feces formed.
Do not use the drug alone in the treatment of constipation in pancreatitis, there are contraindications.
Also read: Symptoms of pancreatitis in men
Not to accept:
- In case of an allergic reaction to the composition of the medicine.
- For intestinal obstruction.
- For ulcerative colitis.
The dosage of Forlax for an adult is 2 sachets per day (taken in the morning and evening). If adverse reactions occur, immediately stop the medicine and consult a doctor. For constipation, you can use tablets with an irritating effect. For example: Regulax, Guttalax. Note that these drugs can be used for pancreatitis no more than 1 time per day. With prolonged use, serious side effects may occur and the electrolyte balance in the body may be disrupted.
Preventing constipation
To avoid problems with defecation during pancreatitis, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- Walk more often, do morning exercises, run or ride a bike;
- Take some fiber from boiled, baked vegetables and fruits, if your current condition allows. During the acute period, give preference to those dishes that are allowed by the diet, but do not contain excessive amounts of starch and mucus - for example, omelet, buckwheat porridge;
- Take enough liquid.
Castor oil can be used in treatment after consulting a doctor.
Equally important information about pancreatitis during pregnancy - treatment methods, possible complications
Medications
The optimal laxatives are those that do not contain plant fiber or other substances that are difficult for the diseased gland to absorb or that can provoke its inflammation. These include:
- Suppositories with glycerin inserted into the rectum. Their advantage is that they have no effect on the digestive system;
- Bisacodyl is a medication that stimulates contractions of the intestinal muscles, causing them to expel fecal accumulations.
Baked apples contain fiber, which has a laxative effect. Recommended for nutrition of patients outside the acute phase
Laxative teas for pancreatitis
Recently, doctors have begun to prescribe laxative teas to patients with pancreatitis, which help relieve constipation.
It is recommended to drink tea as a preventive measure for all disorders of the pancreas and for various disorders in the gastrointestinal tract.
You can buy Altai collection at the pharmacy. This tea has not only a laxative, but also a bactericidal, diuretic and choleretic spectrum of action.
Positive qualities of the Altai collection:
- due to the fact that the collection includes juniper, it helps to strengthen intestinal motility;
- celandine is also included in the composition; it is very useful for pancreatitis, as it helps relieve spasms;
- Altai collection additionally contains mustard plasters, which help relieve signs of inflammation and improve digestion.
If necessary, you can also buy a laxative herbal tea. The tea contains: anise seeds, licorice root, and nettle. All these components have a positive effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, so they will help eliminate an unpleasant problem.
Teas can consist of one plant, or contain several plant components.
Is it possible to make laxative tea at home? Yes, but before preparing the recipe below, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
To prepare you will need:
- flax and dill seeds;
- Herb tea;
- buckthorn bark.
Mix all ingredients in equal proportions and leave in 200 ml of boiling water. Strain before use.
The second folk recipe based on the sweet clover herb.
Also read: Is there a fever with pancreatitis?
Main ingredients:
- sweet clover;
- nettle;
- buckthorn.
Take all dry herbs in a ratio of 1:1:3. Then mix in a container and pour in a glass of boiling water. Once the product has infused well, you can drink it for constipation before bed in a dosage of 100 ml. If you have an allergic reaction to the recipes described above, you can prepare another simpler collection.
Dandelion is an assistant in the treatment of many diseases and all parts of the plant are used - flowers, roots and leaves.
To prepare, you will need dandelion grass (take all parts of the grass, leaves, roots and flowers). Wash the grass well and cut it. Infuse in 250 ml of boiling water for 5 minutes. Then cover the container and leave for another half day. Before use, strain well through sterile gauze. It is recommended to drink half a glass 3 times a day before the main meal.
If you do not have an allergic reaction to honey, then for constipation you can take 1 tablespoon of honey. Before use, honey must be diluted with one glass of water. Drink honey in the morning on an empty stomach.
As you can see, there are many remedies for constipation with an inflamed pancreas. The most important thing is to choose the right drug and folk recipe so as not to aggravate the course of the disease.
Don’t forget about proper nutrition, which helps improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. If you have an inflamed pancreas, you need to eat 6 times a day.
For pancreatitis, treatment should be comprehensive, especially if there are pronounced symptoms. Therefore, it is recommended to take vitamin and mineral supplements during treatment to strengthen the immune system. You can buy vitamins at the pharmacy, or prepare fortified salads and drinks at home.
Properties of Pancreatin
The drug is a pink coated tablet. Pancreatin is taken orally as prescribed by a doctor if there is insufficient production of enzymes by the pancreas.
The main ingredient of the medicine is pancreatin, which consists of important enzymes, as well as auxiliary components. The active substance is released directly in the intestines and does not enter the bloodstream.
The tablets have a special coating that protects the main components from the effects of gastric juice. Its dissolution occurs only in the required place - the intestines. The released enzymes immediately begin to participate in the process of assimilation of nutrients coming from food.
If constipation is present on an ongoing basis or occurs frequently, it is necessary to undergo an examination before taking Pancreatin to identify the cause of disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract. The doctor will make a diagnosis and determine a course of treatment.
For your information! The effect exerted directly in the intestines allows Pancreatin to be taken for constipation, diarrhea, and to treat with its help diseases associated with a lack of enzymes.
