Home remedies for pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis needs hospital care. Home measures are only for mild, already-diagnosed cases after discharge, or for chronic pancreatitis, and should follow your doctor's advice.

Do not treat severe pain at home

Sudden severe upper belly pain with vomiting needs urgent medical care. Do not wait for home remedies to work.

After an attack or with chronic pancreatitis

• No alcohol and no smoking. This is the most important step to prevent more attacks and damage.
• Eat small, frequent, low-fat meals and avoid deep-fried and oily food
• Drink plenty of water unless told otherwise
• Rest and return to activity slowly
• Take medicines as prescribed, including pancreatic enzyme capsules with meals if advised
• Pain relief: use only what your doctor advises. Avoid taking many painkillers on your own.
• Warm compress over the belly can feel comforting, but is not a treatment
• Track symptoms: pain, stools, weight and blood sugar if you have diabetes

Be careful with

• Herbal and "detox" products, fasting plans and purgatives
• Very low-fat or crash diets that cause weight loss
• Weight-loss drugs that may affect the pancreas. Ask your doctor.

Return to hospital for severe pain, repeated vomiting, fever, yellow skin or eyes, or being unable to drink.

See a doctor if pain returns, stools become pale and greasy, or you lose weight.

When to get help

See a doctor if upper belly pain keeps coming back, if you have gallstones, high triglycerides or a family history of pancreatitis, or if you pass greasy stools or lose weight. Go to hospital at once for sudden severe pain with vomiting.

Remember

Stopping alcohol, eating small low-fat meals and following medical advice protect the pancreas.