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Alternative medicine
By Mayo Clinic staffAlternative therapies can't treat pancreatitis, but some alternative therapies may help you cope with the pain associated with pancreatitis. People with chronic pancreatitis may experience constant pain that isn't easily controlled with medications. Using complementary and alternative medicine therapies along with medications prescribed by your doctor may help you feel more in control of your pain.
Examples of alternative therapies that may help you cope with pain include:
- Meditation
- Relaxation exercises
- Yoga
Supplements for chronic pancreatitis pain
Some studies have found that vitamin and mineral supplements, such as vitamins A and C and selenium, may help reduce the need for pain medications in people with chronic pancreatitis. But other studies haven't found this. More study is needed. If you're interested in trying vitamin and mineral supplements, discuss this with your doctor. Your doctor may be able to suggest what supplements and doses are safe for you to try.
- Gachago C, et al. Pain management in chronic pancreatitis. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2008;14:3137.
- Nair RJ, et al. Chronic pancreatitis. American Family Physician. 2007;16:1679.
- Frossard JL, et al. Acute pancreatitis. Lancet. 2008;371:143.
- Treiber M, et al. Genetics of pancreatitis: A guide for clinicians. Current Gastroenterology Reports. 2008;10:122.
- Twedell D. Acute pancreatitis. Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing. 2008;39:341.
- Cappell MS. Acute pancreatitis: Etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and therapy. Medical Clinics of North America. 2008;92:889.
- Pancreatitis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/pancreatitis/. Accessed Dec. 5, 2008.
- Pancreatitis. American Gastroenterological Association. http://www.gastro.org/wmspage.cfm?parm1=855. Accessed Dec. 5, 2008.
- Sareen S, et al. Yoga: A tool for improving the quality of life in chronic pancreatitis. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2007;13:391.
- Bhardwaj P, et al. A randomized controlled trial of antioxidant supplementation for pain relief in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Gastroenterology. In Press. Accessed Dec. 8, 2008.
