Dr. Hoang Nam, Department of Gastroenterology, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said that alcohol abuse, irregular eating, smoking a lot... during Tet are common causes of many people being hospitalized due to acute pancreatitis. If patients change their diet, stop drinking alcohol, and receive treatment, acute pancreatitis can be cured in a few days. If left untreated, the disease can become chronic.

Doctor Nam suggests the following ways to protect the pancreas and reduce the risk of acute pancreatitis during this time.

Limit alcohol

Alcohol is the second most common cause of acute pancreatitis after gallstones and the leading cause of chronic pancreatitis, accounting for 40-70% of all cases, according to Dr. Hoang Nam. Limiting or stopping alcohol consumption helps protect the pancreas from the toxic effects of this beverage, thereby reducing the risk of disease.

Choose heart-healthy foods

High levels of fat in the blood can increase the risk of acute pancreatitis. Prioritizing heart-healthy foods including whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and avoiding fatty or fried foods, can help prevent acute pancreatitis.

Gallstones are also the leading cause of acute pancreatitis. People should limit foods containing too much cholesterol to prevent accumulation in the bile, forming stones.

Do exercise

Eating a balanced, low-fat diet and engaging in regular physical activity during Tet is good for your health. Overweight people are more likely to develop gallstones, which can lead to acute pancreatitis. On New Year's Day, you can take a walk to wish your relatives a happy new year, or do yoga in the morning. A stable weight helps the pancreas function better, reducing some risk factors for pancreatitis, including gallstones, obesity, and diabetes.

Eat on time

Irregular eating habits during Tet put pressure on the digestive system. Eating at irregular times can cause you to lose weight quickly. The liver increases cholesterol production in response, increasing the risk of gallstones and acute pancreatitis.

No smoking

Smoking also increases the risk of developing pancreatitis. About 20-30% of pancreatic cancers are linked to tobacco use.

Doctor Hoang Nam recommends that people at high risk of pancreatic disease, high blood fat, high blood calcium, hormonal abnormalities, using certain medications such as steroids, estrogen, antiviral drugs, diabetes drugs... should maintain a healthy lifestyle during Tet to prevent disease and have regular health check-ups.

Emerald