Pancreatitis attention to requires diet Compromise and collaborate, Scorpio
Dear Dr. Roach: My sonin-law recently was diagnosed with pancreatitis. He used to drink more often, but in the past year he has imbibed only on weekends, socially. He was quite overweight and ate a lot of junk food before he became ill. The emergency doctor told him to watch his diet, and his general physician gave him medicine for pain and told him to watch his diet. The gastrointestinal specialist gave him some kind of enzyme medicine to help him be able to eat more foods. He has lost a lot of weight. My daughter said she noticed that his eyes and skin are getting more jaundiced. My concern is that they are not taking his condition more seriously. He is only 34 years old, and they have two small children. Should he at least have been referred to a dietitian? — B.H.
They should be taking his condition very seriously. Pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas, can have many causes, but in those with a history of heavy alcohol use, the alcohol is the most likely cause. Someone with a history of alcoholic pancreatitis should never drink again — not socially, not on weekends, never. The jaundice is likely to represent liver damage, and I am sure the GI doctor is aware of this (well, I fervently hope so, anyway).
Weight loss comes about when the pancreas cannot make enough enzymes to digest food, especially fat. The fat then passes through the body, causing diarrhea. Pancreatic enzyme replacement can make a dramatic improvement in the ability to digest fats, and in the overall quality of life and ability to gain and maintain weight.
A registered dietician nutritionist is an ideal choice to help educate your son-in-law about how to eat and how to use the enzyme replacement properly in terms of timing with food. That would be an important component of his treatment.
Today’s Birthday: Personal power surges this year. Carefully edit your words for lasting dividend. Partnership arises from unexpected corners.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) (6) Compromise and collaborate for shared commitments to pass an obstacle or barrier. Reach a turning point in a partnership.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) (8) Review and revamp your physical skills and practices. Change directions with health and fitness.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) (6) Change directions with a romance, passion or creative endeavor. Express your heart, imagination and artistry. Shift perspectives. Begin anew.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) (7) Get into a new home and family phase. Renovate, remodel and tend your garden. Domestic changes require adaptation.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) (7) Shift the direction of your research. A new phase in communications, connection and intellectual discovery dawns.
Aries (March 21-April 19) (8) Profitable opportunities bloom. A turning point arises around income and finances.
Taurus (April 20-May 20) (9) Turn toward a possibility that inspires you. This Full Moon in your sign illuminates a new personal direction.
Gemini (May 21-June 20) (5) It starts with an ending. Ritual and symbolism provide comfort. Consider a higher perspective.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) (7) Friends come and go with community and group projects. Share appreciations, greetings and goodbyes.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) (8) Focus on current passions. Finish a project before beginning a new professional phase. Pursue a creative challenge.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) (7) Begin an exploratory phase. Experiment with new concepts. Learn directly from the source.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) (7) Shift directions with shared finances over the next two weeks.