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Suggest Treatment To Lower The Inflammation Of The Pancreas

Posted on Wed, 2 Apr 2014

Question: I've been hospitalized for mild pancreatitis, lipase level was 1098 now 480. I had upper right abdominal pain which has subsided. Cat scan and ultra sound showed nothing remarkable for kidneys, gall bladder, stomach, liver or pancreas. Been on banana bag and diet elevated to solids. I'm 52 and have a history of alcohol use. I'm on synthroid, uloric and clonazepam. Is there a supplement I can take to lower the lipase levels or use digestive enzymes or pancreatic enzymes or would that worsen the problem because they contain lipase? Is there something I can take to lower the inflammation of the pancreas? Been here five days and they are keeping me overnight again!?

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Abstinence from alcohol will be helpful Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome to Healthcare-Magic Greetings of the day Lipase is an intracellular enzyme, it's normally secreted in the intestine in inactivated form and on contact with food it gets activated into active lipase which helps in lipid absorption. Normally this lipase is not secreted in blood so the level in blood is negligible. During inflammation of Pancreas, there is destruction of the pancreatic cells, this releases lipase into the circulation. During mild Pancreatitis there is elevation in Serum lipase and sometimes remains elevated for 4 to 7 days in spite of inflammation has halted. The improvement in clinical symptoms is more important in assessing the progress of the disease. In your case the cause is likely to be alcohol induced, abstinence from alcohol will lead to faster resolution of Pancreatitis and also the lipase level. Pancreatic enzymes are not normally required in acute episode of Pancreatitis as there is no deficiency of enzyme. If your appetite has improved, pain has decreased and you have no fever then it implies you are on track of recovery. Wishing you speedy recovery. Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you. Take care Best Regards Dr Deepak Kishore MBBS, MS, MCH Consultant Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (14 minutes later)

Would curcumin or milk thistle help for the inflammation and if so at what dose?

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer: curcumin and milk thistle have no beneficial role Detailed Answer: Hi Greetings Management of Pancreatitis requires only supportive care. None of the drugs are known to be beneficial in reducing inflammation. Every individual responds in different way. Removing the causative agent will help in quicker recovery. Neither curcumin nor Milk thistle is proven to be beneficial beyond doubt. Octreotide (which suppresses Pancreatic enzymes) is also used empirically without any clear benefit. Clinical improvement that is improvement in symptoms is seen first. Biochemical improvement assessed by lowering of lipase occurs later. For further query please do write to me. Take care Best Regards Dr Deepak

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar