Pancreatitis and soda pop?

Published

Can someone help me understand the contraindications with Pancreatitis and Soda Pop? Why would you not want your pts to drink soda pop if their diagnosis is pancreatitis? I am a student RN in my final semester. I have looked over my textbooks and I cannot find anything that relates pancreatitis & pop. I am still trying to connect the dots with labs, symptoms, and pt conditions/diagnosis. Can anybody help me understand this issue?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Why do you thnk there is a contra-indication for soda drinks in pancreatitis patients?Why do you ask this question? Have you Googled for suggestions?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Not sure on the soda itself, but I know at first you want them completely NPO because putting anything in the stomach will stimulate the gastric secretions with resulting pain and inflammation. All I can think of would be the carbonation and fizz might be more painful.... let us know when you find the answer!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg.

Start with the typical treatments for pancreatitis and you will find your answer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Not sure on the soda itself, but I know at first you want them completely NPO because putting anything in the stomach will stimulate the gastric secretions with resulting pain and inflammation. All I can think of would be the carbonation and fizz might be more painful.... let us know when you find the answer!

I like what this poster wrote. Remember, you want your patients to be NPO--- they can't have anything by mouth. This is very important. You want their bowels to be resting. There's auto-digestion of the pancreas going on. Enzymes are running amuck and essentially attacking the pancreas, and major inflammation results. Remember with pancreatitis they will often have low levels of calcium too. The only thing that I can think of with soda would be that it's known to throw off the sodium-potassium pump. With lower calcium levels that are inherent to pancreatitis, perhaps they suggest no soda because of the imbalance of the sodium-potassium pump. Maybe they (whoever they are) just want to maintain electrolyte balance. I'm really not sure. I'm just throwing out ideas. But just know the key things to know as a nurse is to look for signs of low calcium and keep them NPO.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hem/Onc/BMT.

I don't know about soda and sodium-potassium pump, but I also think it may have to do with carbonation. The dissolved gases in a soda which create the "fizz" are acids. Any acidic foods and drinks are contraindicated, I think, when a patient is recovering from pancreatitis. It may also be that the recovering pancreatitis is not functioning well and one of its normal functions is secreting bicarbonate which neutralizes acids. Hence, the need to avoid acidic stuff?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I found the answer. My preceptor agrees with the last post, that due to the acid in soda pop it is contraindicated because it will increase the gastric secretions. He wanted me to understand this because sometimes pancreatitis patients advance to clear liquid diets and even though some pop is sometimes clear liquids, it is not a good choice for the patient.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Also think about the sugar. And besides, it's bad for yer teeth.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg.

Interesting, I wouldn't have thought of that. I was back on the acute phase--our patients are NPO because the least little thing on their stomach causes lots of pain.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

if you run a search here you'll find this a common question......pancreatitis and POP

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion