Psychosomatics of pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, which helps digest food and makes insulin. Acute pancreatitis starts with sudden severe pain in the upper belly that spreads to the back, and it is treated in hospital. It is most often caused by gallstones and alcohol. Sudden severe belly pain is a reason to call an ambulance straight away. The Ladder method adds questions about the tension you carry inside.
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When to see a doctor
With severe pain, first an ambulance and hospital. After that a general practitioner or gastroenterologist follows up, and a surgeon if gallstones are the cause. If belly pain keeps coming back, see a doctor even if it is milder: this is how chronic pancreatitis is checked (NHS).
In the Ladder method
In the Ladder method pancreatitis is not explained as "you are storing up anger", and you are not to blame for it happening. The causes are known: gallstones, alcohol, medicines and others. With severe pain, hospital comes first, and questions to yourself belong later, alongside treatment, not instead of it.
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In the method the pancreas, which gives the body sugar and helps digestion, fits the image of how much joy you keep for yourself. It is an image, not the cause of the illness, and it does not replace tests and treatment.
On the ladder this shows up as the steps "I'll hold on, I'll rest later" and "joy has to be earned". You can work through them once the acute phase is behind you.
These are questions for reflection, not an explanation of what causes the condition and not a treatment.
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How it shows up
Book a doctor’s appointment if you notice:
- Sudden severe pain in the upper belly
- Pain spreading to the back
- Pain worse after eating
- A little easier when leaning forward
- Nausea and vomiting
- A high temperature, a fast pulse
What medicine knows
The pancreas is a small organ behind the stomach. It helps digest food and makes insulin. In acute pancreatitis it suddenly becomes inflamed, and this is a serious condition treated in hospital (NHS). MedlinePlus explains that digestive enzymes start to digest the gland itself.
The main sign of acute pancreatitis is sudden severe pain in the upper belly that spreads to the back, gets worse after eating and eases a little if you lean forward. There may be a high temperature, nausea and vomiting (NHS).
The most common causes according to the NHS are gallstones and drinking a lot of alcohol. Less often medicines, injury, high calcium in the blood. Chronic pancreatitis develops over years and is most often linked to alcohol (MedlinePlus). The diagnosis is made with a blood test, sometimes a CT scan.
Most people feel better within a week and leave hospital after 5-10 days (NHS). To lower the risk of it happening again, the NHS advises cutting down on alcohol or stopping, not smoking and eating less fatty food. If gallstones are the cause, a doctor may suggest removing the gallbladder.
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Frequently asked questions
Can pancreatitis be caused by nerves?
No, nerves do not cause pancreatitis. The most common causes are gallstones and alcohol, less often medicines and other illnesses (NHS). Stress can affect eating and sleep, but pancreatitis needs to be treated by a doctor.
What does pancreatitis mean in psychosomatics?
Pancreatitis has no proven "meaning". In the Ladder method, after treatment, you can ask yourself what you endure to the limit and how much joy you keep for yourself. It is a question to yourself, not a diagnosis.
When does belly pain need an ambulance?
If sudden severe pain in the upper belly spreads to the back, your heart is beating very fast, you find it hard to breathe or marks like bruises appear around your belly button. Call an ambulance (103).
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Psychosomatics does not replace tests and treatment. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.