FAQ

The majority of pancreatitis is due to alcohol or gallstones. There are less common causes which require appropriate investigations by a specialist. Avoiding alcohol is extremely important for anyone with pancreatitis.

Below are diet recommendations to adhere to following an episode of pancreatitis:

• Avoid alcohol
• Eat low fat meals - but keep a well balanced diet
• Drink plenty of non-caffeinated fluids to keep well hydrated

Additional recommendations regarding diet and lifestyle include:

• Eating well balanced meals at least 3 per day
• Being sure to adhere to a high fibre diet
• Including calcium in your diet
• Choosing meals low in saturated fats
• Aiming for a healthy weight (BMI 20-25). Note: rapid changes in weight (increase or decrease) can cause stone formation so be sure to make modifications in your weight gradually.

Diarrhea is a symptom that can result from many different causes. You would be wise to see your doctor. Below are some questions you may be asked by your doctor are:

• How long have you had this problem?
• Where you have traveled in the recent past?
• Were you taking antibiotics before the onset of the diarrhea?
• Has a new medication been prescribed for you? If so, what and when?
• What other symptoms are you experiencing? (ie. bleeding, weight loss)

The answers to these questions will help your doctor decide whether you need to be referred to a specialist for further investigation. You may need to have routine blood work done as well as stool tests for bacterial cultures looking for parasites and a special bacterial infection called Clostridium difficile.

This is a common problem! We all pass gas and or experience burping but for some people, these symptoms can be really bothersome.  It is important to recognize that everyone has gas in the digestive tract.  When there is some gas and fluid in the intestines, movements (contractions) of the intestines to propel the contents onwards may cause rumblings.

There two major causes of excessive gas :

1. First, subconscious swallowing of air can result in excessive burping.  Eating slowly, avoiding gum chewing and smoking, rectifying problems that lead to phlegm accumulation in the back of the throat (such as postnasal drip), and correcting a habit of clearing the throat and swallowing can help minimize air swallowing.  Belching often induces instinctive reflex swallowing with further gas accumulation so you need to make a conscious effort not to swallow after each belch.
2. And second, gas can form as a result of the breakdown of certain dietary items, especially carbohydrates, by bacteria normally present in the large intestine. Foods that cause gas include beans, broccoli, cabbage, fruit drinks, carbonated drinks, and dairy products.  Beano (obtainable over-the-counter) may help to reduce gas formation when you have a lot of vegetables and fruits at any meal.