Pancreatitis & Acid Indigestion

[Guest guest]

Kim S in NC,

You wrote, " Do any of you have trouble with acid reflux? Seems like

mine gets really bad around the time I have a flare, and takes weeks

to calm down. "

I have severe acid indigestion, particularly during stressful times.

Most persons with pancreatitis will likely suffer with this due to

the change in the body's Ph. It makes sense that you would have

worse indigestion during a flare-up since your pancreas would not be

working as well.

There are several things that occur in pancreatitis which cause acid

indigestion to occur. Stomach contents are always acidic, but become

more so when digestion is impaired. Digestion starts with amylase

which is produced by saliva. In pancreatitis people tend to be

dehydrated and therefore have limited amount of saliva. In

pancreatitis, the pancreas cannot produce sufficient bicarbonate,

which neutralizes acid. Additionally, food is normally propelled

from the stomach to the duodenum in a regulated time period. Again,

in pancreatitis this can be impaired by a complication called

Gastroparesis, in which the stomach muscles do not operate normally;

i.e.,paralyzed gastro or stomach. When the food stays in the stomach

for a prolonged period of time, it will begin to decompose producing

more acids. This increase in acid content in the stomach makes it

easier for stomach content to back up into the esophagus. This can

cause a sour taste, difficulty swallowing, persistent coughing or

hoarseness, belching or regurgitation, an upset stomach, and chest

pain not related to your heart

There is a range of treatment options for treating these symptoms.

It's best to talk to your healthcare provider, of course, about

different options:

Antacids are available without a prescription (over-the-counter,

or " OTC " ) and are essentially bicarbonates. H2 blockers are

available over-the-counter and by prescription. They get their name

from the way they block one particular stimulus of acid production.

H2 blockers reduce the amount of acid that is produced in the

stomach, but not as much as proton pump inhibitors. Proton pump

inhibitors (PPIs) are available by prescription. PPIs block the

final stage of acid production. They are very effective and can

relieve symptoms in most people.

Dietary considerations include knowing some of the more common foods

and beverages associated with heartburn and acid reflux disease are:

Fried and fatty foods

Spicy and heavily seasoned foods

Onions

Orange juice and tomato juice

Alcoholic drinks

Coffee

Chocolate

Peppermint and spearmint

Some people have reported developing pancreatitis or a flare-up

following the ingestion of some of these.

Karyn , RN

Indianapolis, IN

[Guest guest]

Kim, & Karyn:

Since hiatal hernia, which I've been told I have, can cause acid reflus, I've

wondered too if

that could be cause of some pr much of pain I periodically experience under

lowest left rib

3 inches from center, rather than the pancreas, as I said in my 4/7 post " Pain &

lump at

ribs " .

Kurt (CA)

>

> Kim S in NC,

> You wrote, " Do any of you have trouble with acid reflux? Seems like

> mine gets really bad around the time I have a flare, and takes weeks

> to calm down. "

>

> I have severe acid indigestion, particularly during stressful times.

> Most persons with pancreatitis will likely suffer with this due to

> the change in the body's Ph. It makes sense that you would have

> worse indigestion during a flare-up since your pancreas would not be

> working as well.