Chinese Medical Association Recommended Family Medical Guide

Author: Geoffrey R. M. Kohn et al. (UK), translated by Jiang Qingyao
Translator: Jiang Qingyao / Country:
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1997-04-01
Features:
The handwriting is illegible.
Chronic Pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis is a rare disease that develops over many years. Sometimes, chronic pancreatitis occurs after a recurrence of acute pancreatitis (see the article on the previous page), but usually, it is associated with gallstones (see page 497) or alcoholism (see page 309). In these cases, you do not recover between episodes. The damaged pancreas gradually loses its ability to produce digestive fluids and hormones.
What are the symptoms?
Pain is the main symptom, but on average, one in ten cases is painless. It is a spasmodic, bothersome dull pain that worsens after eating or drinking alcohol. The pain can be relieved by sitting up and leaning forward. As the disease progresses, pain attacks last longer and occur more frequently. Some people experience indigestion between episodes. Other possible symptoms include mild jaundice (see page 493) and weight loss. Additionally, the pancreas may fail to produce insulin, leading to the development of diabetes (see page 529). If you have these symptoms, you should see a doctor. Severe abdominal pain should never be ignored (see page 485, "Laparotomy and Acute Abdomen"). If a doctor suspects you have a pancreatic condition, they will perform several tests to identify the exact problem. These tests include blood tests, a glucose tolerance test (see page 529) for diabetes diagnosis, X-rays, and endoscopy. The doctor may also order a radioactive isotope scan or a computerized tomography (CT) scan of your pancreas.
How is it treated?
Self-care
Once chronic pancreatitis is diagnosed, you should completely avoid alcohol and strictly follow your doctor's dietary recommendations.
Seeking medical treatment
If your pain is severe, the doctor may prescribe pain medication. You may also need to take enzyme pills with each meal, as your damaged pancreas can no longer produce the enzymes needed for digestion. If you stop drinking alcohol, follow your diet strictly, and take enzyme supplements, your condition is likely to improve significantly. In some cases, if the pain becomes unbearable, the doctor may recommend surgery to remove damaged pancreatic tissue or cut the nerves that transmit pain.
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer tumors can cause many symptoms. The main symptoms include loss of appetite and weight, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The pain usually occurs in the upper abdomen and may radiate to the back. If you have these symptoms, see a doctor immediately. There are several possible causes of pancreatic cancer, including gallstones (see page 497). If a doctor suspects you have pancreatic cancer, they may perform blood tests, X-rays, barium swallow tests, gallbladder imaging, and various special pancreatic tests. If the cancer is detected early, it can often be cured by surgical removal of the malignant tissue. You will also need chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other treatments. If the cancer is not detected early, the chances of recovery are very slim.
Nutrition and Metabolism
Metabolism refers to the chemical processes in the body that convert air, food, and other substances into materials needed for normal bodily functions. While the general meaning of metabolism is the same for everyone, it varies from person to person. For example, your chemical balance and metabolic rate may differ from those of others. These individual differences are mostly determined by your genetic makeup. In general, there are two main types of metabolic diseases related to the digestive system. One type is caused by malnutrition or improper diet, and it is the most common type. This disease can often be resolved by changing your diet. The other type of metabolic disease is hereditary, meaning it is inherited from your parents. These diseases are usually incurable but can be managed by dietary changes or environmental modifications to control symptoms.
There are some similarities between these two types of metabolic diseases. For example, most overweight or obese individuals can lose weight through dieting, but this requires self-discipline. Factors such as lack of exercise, dietary habits, and psychological factors can all affect weight loss. In rare cases, some people inherit specific diseases that make them prone to obesity, and once they gain weight, they cannot lose it. Other metabolic diseases may be caused by a lack of vitamins in the diet. Vitamins play a crucial role in normal metabolism, so they are also considered part of nutrition. Vitamin deficiencies are also considered nutritional diseases. This chapter will first discuss obesity and vitamin deficiencies, both of which are related to digestion and nutrition. The chapter will also cover some hereditary metabolic diseases that may be influenced by diet, such as porphyria, hyperlipoproteinemia, and gout.
Obesity
Your body needs food to provide energy for maintaining body temperature and supporting chemical and physical processes. Food also supplies the raw materials for building and repairing body tissues. Even for people of the same height, build, age, and gender, their food requirements can differ. Most people require about 2,000 calories (for women) or 2,500 calories (for men) per day to meet their basic energy needs. However, athletes and physically demanding workers may need 4,000 or more calories. If the calories from the food you eat exceed the calories you burn, your body will store the excess calories as fat. If you accumulate too much fat, making you appear overweight, you may be considered obese. However, the definition of obesity is not clear-cut. If your weight exceeds the "ideal" weight for your height, build, and age by more than 20%, some experts may classify you as obese. By this definition, in our society, one in five men is considered obese, and nearly one in three women is.
What are the symptoms?
The most obvious symptom of obesity is weight gain. However, weight gain does not necessarily mean you have obesity. For example, pregnant women or weightlifters may gain weight for other reasons. But the most common cause of weight gain is an increase in fat tissue. Obesity is associated with many serious diseases, so it also has many other symptoms. The right exercise is the exercise that benefits your current physical condition. The following tips are based on three guidelines and are almost suitable for everyone who wants to start a successful exercise plan.
? Exercise at least three times a week, with regular intervals and fixed times. Each session should last at least 20 minutes, and it is best not to stop during the exercise. During exercise, your activity should be intense enough to make you breathe heavily, sweat, and feel your heartbeat, but not so intense that it makes you dizzy, nauseous, or risks injuring your muscles and joints. Before exercising, warm up, and after exercising, cool down.