Alcohol Effects on the Pancreas
There are many consequences of drinking alcohol, including damage to your pancreas. When we think of health risks of alcohol, the liver or kidneys are often the center of attention. However, excessive and heavy drinking can also make your leaf-shaped organ just as vulnerable to danger. Alcohol’s effects on the pancreas are often overlooked.
According to the National Institute of Health, alcohol can damage pancreatic cells, which influences the metabolic process. Research has found that alcohol has been associated with about 40-70% of pancreatitis cases. Alcohol abuse is ranked the second most common cause of acute pancreatitis and the most common cause of chronic pancreatitis.
Understanding the alcohol effects on pancreas function is important for those who consume alcohol. Unlike the liver, which has the ability to heal and regenerate, the pancreas is very sensitive and less forgiving of damage.
Alcoholic Pancreatitis
Alcoholic pancreatitis is a potentially fatal inflammation of the pancreas associated with long-term alcohol consumption. Though it is not fully understood how it works, one commonly agreed-upon theory is that alcohol molecules interfere with pancreatic cells. This stops them from functioning properly.
This health disorder is most common in men who are long-term, heavy drinkers. Typically, men in their 40s experience the first episode developing after years of chronic drinking. Symptoms of alcoholic pancreatitis include:
- Severe nausea
- Sharp pain throughout the abdominal area to your back
- Fever
- Constipation
When it comes to pancreatitis, it means your pancreas has become so inflamed that it is releasing chemicals within itself and auto-digesting itself. This is why it can be so painful. It’s basically like you are giving your pancreas a third-degree burn from within.
The functions of the Pancreas
The pancreas plays an important role in exocrine function. It produces digestive enzymes that travel into the small intestine to help the stomach break down fats, proteins and carbohydrates so the body is better able to absorb the nutrients.
The pancreas also influences endocrine function. It produces hormones such as insulin and glucagon to help the body regulate blood sugar.
These two processes are involved in metabolism. When everything works normally, the systems work together harmoniously. But with heavy alcohol consumption, it can throw the systems out of balance.
What are the Alcohol effects on Pancreas Function?
In normal conditions, pancreatic enzymes remain inactive until they reach the small intestine. Alcoholic consumption disrupts this process. When you drink, the cells in the pancreas process alcohol into toxic byproducts. This stresses out the pancreatic cells, which causes the digestive enzymes to activate prematurely inside the pancreas instead of inside the small intestine.
So instead of digesting your food, it starts to digest the pancreas. This leads to organ swelling, tissue damage and intense inflammation. These are all conditions of pancreatitis.
Alcohol can also impact insulin production. Alcohol causes inflammation and damage to pancreatic tissue. Beta cells responsible for producing insulin are compromised, which can lead to severe blood sugar fluctuations. Poorly regulated glucose in the body can produce symptoms often associated with diabetes.
Acute Pancreatitis vs Chronic Pancreatitis
Alcoholic pancreatitis generally manifests in two primary stages: acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis.
Acute pancreatitis is a sudden, severe attack on the pancreas that needs immediate medical attention. It often occurs after an episode of heavy binge drinking.
Some early warning signs of alcohol induced pancreatitis include severe indigestion, mild tenderness in the upper belly and rapid heart rate. Other full-blown symptoms include stabbing pain in the upper abdomen area, severe nausea and violent vomiting, fever and chills and a swollen and tender stomach area.
When it comes to chronic pancreatitis is happens at a much slower pace. It occurs due to long-term alcohol impact and chronic inflammation of the pancreas. Repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis and years of continuous drinking can lead to non-functional scar tissue in the pancreas. This is also referred to as fibrosis.
When the pancreas becomes inflamed, causing pain over the course of years, it will eventually interfere with the body’s ability to function normally. This is when the pain turns into chronic pancreatitis.
Once the organ has been scarred, it will lose its ability to produce digestive juices to help with digestion and food breakdown. If your body cannot break down food, it can lead to severe malnutrition, unexplained weight loss and oily stool.
Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis include abdominal pain, foul-smelling bowel movements, weight loss, and yellowing of the eyes and skin.
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The hidden dangers of alcoholic pancreatitis
Most people are familiar with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Chronic pancreatitis physically destroys insulin-producing cells in the organ, which puts a person at risk for developing an alcohol related type of diabetes. This is also known as Type 3C diabetes.
Type 3C diabetes is characterized by a complete lack of insulin and lack of glucagon. It is incredibly volatile and difficult to manage and requires strict medical attention with insulin therapy and dietary control.
Years of continuous inflammation and damage caused by alcohol toxicity can create the perfect environment for malignant cancer cells to form. People who suffer from chronic pancreatitis have a much higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared to the general population. Studies have found that there is an increased risk of pancreatic cancer among heavy alcohol users.
Healing and Prevention
If pancreatitis is caught early on, taking immediate steps to reverse inflammation can save you from the risk of chronic pain and illness. The most critical step is to stop alcohol consumption immediately. Those who may be suffering from alcohol use disorder should seek out professional treatment.
Staying hydrated can also help the pancreas to help flush out toxins. Another way to help manage pancreatitis is to change up your diet.
Limiting your fat intake by avoiding fried foods, full-fat dairy and heavy oils can be beneficial. Focus on having lean protein and complex carbohydrates that will be easier to digest. Eating small, frequent meals can help prevent the pancreas from becoming overwhelmed. Try to consume antioxidant-rich foods like berries, spinach, and dark leafy greens. This can help combat severe enzyme deficiency.
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Treatment for Substance Use Disorder
The effects of alcohol on the pancreas can be devastating in those who suffer from an alcohol addiction or chronic alcohol use. The small organ has a big responsibility for digestion and metabolic balance. The more alcohol you drink, the more at risk you put yourself for alcoholic pancreatitis as well as pancreatic cancer.
Professional behavioral health program, Hotel California by the Sea provides treatment for alcohol use disorder. We offer treatment at all levels of care including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We utilize evidence-based methods such as CBT, DBT and EMDR therapy. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping clients reach their goals in sobriety and overcome their addiction.
References:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6826792
https://pancreapedia.org/reviews/alcohol-and-pancreas
https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/pancreatitis-how-drinking-too-much-may-affect-you
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/study-long-term-alcohol-consumption-plays-role-in-pancreatitis-progression
https://www.rehab-recovery.co.uk/alcohol-rehab/pancreatitis-alcohol-alcohols-effect-pancreas/
