Key facts
- A 25-year-old woman in Hangzhou, China, was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis.
- Her condition followed an extreme diet of eating only once a week.
- The woman experienced severe abdominal pain and vomiting after a binge-eating episode.
- Medical tests confirmed elevated pancreatic enzymes and swelling.
- Doctors noted a rise in young patients suffering pancreatitis from extreme dieting and bingeing.
A 25-year-old woman in Hangzhou, China, identified as Qingqing, has been hospitalized with acute pancreatitis following an extreme weight-loss regimen. Her diet involved consuming minimal food for six days a week and then binge eating on the seventh day. This pattern led to a significant weight loss of 15 jin (approximately 16.5 pounds) in one month.
During her 'cheat day,' Qingqing consumed a large portion of Korean fried chicken and two packs of spicy noodles. Subsequently, she experienced severe upper abdominal pain radiating to her back, accompanied by vomiting and abdominal distension. Medical examinations revealed her blood amylase levels had risen to 823 U/L, far exceeding the normal range of 35-135 U/L. A CT scan showed significant swelling and effusion in the tail of her pancreas, leading to a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.
Doctors at the Zhejiang University School of Medicine First Affiliated Hospital highlighted that such cases of acute pancreatitis triggered by extreme dieting and subsequent binge eating are becoming increasingly common among young individuals. They explained that prolonged fasting and irregular eating patterns can put the pancreas under immense stress. A sudden intake of high-fat, high-sugar, and high-oil foods during a binge forces the pancreas to secrete a large amount of digestive enzymes, potentially leading to inflammation and self-digestion of pancreatic tissue.
Qingqing's condition was classified as moderately severe acute pancreatitis. She is currently receiving treatment including fasting, fluid replacement, gastrointestinal decompression, and medication to inhibit pancreatic enzyme secretion. While her condition is controlled, full recovery will take time, and there is a high risk of recurrence or progression to chronic pancreatitis. The doctors emphasized that such extreme dietary practices can also lead to other acute conditions like cholecystitis and gastric perforation, as well as hormonal imbalances, hair loss, and decreased immunity, paradoxically making weight regain easier.
To protect pancreatic health, doctors advise a balanced diet, avoiding extreme eating patterns and binge eating. They recommend regular meals, gradual reintroduction of food after fasting, managing biliary diseases and high cholesterol, and limiting alcohol consumption. For healthy weight loss, they suggest prioritizing whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy, while limiting high-calorie foods like fried items and sugary baked goods. Maintaining a moderate calorie deficit, ensuring a balanced intake of macronutrients, eating meals in a specific order (vegetables, protein, then carbohydrates), and combining diet with regular exercise are recommended for sustainable and safe weight management.