Pancreatitis

 At times, acute pancreatitis happens due to problems in other organs, for example, gallbladder stones. As per a study conducted by Pace Hospital, around 40% of patients suffering from acute pancreatitis had gallbladder stones. So the first step is to investigate if a person suffers from gallbladder stones or not. If a person suffers from gallbladder stones, then that person must detoxify their liver.

The gallbladder is a muscular sac attached to the liver. It stores bile. On any holiday, Epsom salt and lemon water are to be consumed in the morning, and nothing else must be consumed except water. Later, after 3 hours, Epsom salt with olive oil must be consumed, and again, after 3 hours, Epsom salt with olive oil must be consumed. Relaxation must be done on a bed, ensuring the right body side faces the bed so that the gallbladder gets stimulated, or some pressure must be applied to the gallbladder to stimulate it. This will help excrete any waste that has accumulated in the gallbladder.

Other causes of acute pancreatitis include the use of alcohol, cigarettes; constipation, diabetes, heredity, hormonal changes, obesity, etc.

If a person suffers from acute pancreatitis and consumes cigarettes, alcohol, or is overweight, they must stop consuming alcohol, cigarettes, reduce weight, and include lots of fibrous foods to prevent constipation.

If acute pancreatitis is due to heredity, hormonal issues, or stress, then pranayam and yog will help. Pranayam reduces stress, strengthens the lungs, purifies the blood, and enhances the flow of energy. The best yog asanas for pancreatitis are Kandharasana, Naukasana, Padangusthasana, Pawanmuktasana, Uttanpadasana.

If a person suffers from pancreatitis and the cause is diabetes, then diabetes must be controlled.

In simple terms, pancreatitis means inflammation in the pancreas. Inflammation generally happens due to excess heat in the body, or in terms of Ayurved, due to excess Pitta in the body. In Sanskrit, the pancreas is termed "Agnashya". Agnashya is a combination of 2 words: "Agni" means fire and "Ashay" means storehouse. Thus, the pancreas is a storehouse of fire as it is connected to metabolism. If Pitta increases in the body, then it causes pancreatitis. So the most essential thing is to prevent acidity. The best medicines that prevent Pitta from rising in the body are Avipattikar Churna, Kamdudha and Punarnava Mandur. All these 3 items are to be consumed 1 hour after dinner.

All foods that increase Pitta must be avoided, especially non-vegetarian foods, alcohol, coffee, tea, etc.

All foods that reduce Pitta in the body must be consumed in high quantity. For example, aloe-vera and wheatgrass juice mixed together and consumed early in the morning effectively reduce Pitta.

Diet must consist of lots of salads & cooling foods like carrot, celery, coriander, cucumber, melon, mint, onion, parsley, watermelon, zucchini, etc.

Wheat and brown rice must be avoided. Jowar (Sorghum), finger millet, Foxtail millet, pearl millet, and white rice must be consumed.

Amongst daals, except for moong dal, all other daals must be avoided.

Fruits and foods in their true form are best. Industrially produced, packed, and fried foods must be avoided.

Instead of normal water, coriander and fennel must be soaked in water at night, and in the morning it must be boiled and then cooled, and this water must be consumed. This will reduce pitta and enhance digestion, and reduce the chances of pancreatitis.