Pancreatic Disease: How a dietitian can help

What does a Pancreatic Dietitian do?

A pancreatic dietitian will assess your nutritional needs in relation to your condition. The pancreatic dietitian will then work with you to provide guidance on ways to manage any nutritional concerns you have.

Common nutritional related problems include:

1. Unintentional weight loss
2. Side effects of treatment that can affect your eating. For example, taste changes, nausea, early feelings of fullness, reduced appetite, dry/sore mouth
3. Problems digesting your food. Signs may include:
   • Pale or greasy stools
   • Floating stools or stools which are difficult to flush away
   • Wind, bloating and/or stomach pain/discomfort
   • Increased stool volume and/or frequency
   • Weight loss
4. The use and timing of pancreatic enzymes (e.g. Creon, Nutrizym 22)
5. Managing your diabetes, if you have been diagnosed with this

The aims of nutritional treatment may include the following:

• Stabilising your weight
• Optimising your nutrition for treatment
• Symptom control
• Improving your energy levels to help you do the things you enjoy

How can I access the service?

You can be referred directly to the dietitian by your doctor or specialist nurse. You can choose to receive contact in the following ways:

1. Clinic appointment
   A face to face consultation with the dietitian at Bexley wing, St James’s University Hospital
2. Telephone appointment
   A dedicated time slot to discuss your nutrition over the telephone
3. On the ward during your ward stay
   At your bedside or in the dayroom

When to contact the Dietitian:

1. If you show signs that you are not digesting your food properly. For example, pale/greasy or floating stools that are difficult to flush away; wind, bloating or stomach pain/discomfort; increased stool volume and/or frequency
2. If you have on-going weight loss
3. If you are eating less than usual
4. If you experience effects of treatment, which are affecting your ability to eat and drink (e.g. taste changes, nausea, early satiety, and reduced appetite, dry/sore mouth)
5. If you have concerns/questions regarding your enzyme replacement treatment (e.g. dosage, timing, ability to take)
6. If you have difficulty taking your nutritional supplement drinks (e.g. flavour fatigue, unable to take the prescribed amount or poor tolerance)

Blood sugar control

If you are losing weight and/or eating less than usual, previous advice about diet may not be suitable.

If you have diabetes and your blood sugar levels are out of the normal range, please contact your Diabetes Specialist Nurse in the first instance.

Personal Notes

You may find it helpful to write down any questions you might have:

Contact details

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If you have any queries please contact.