Plasma cloudy like milk, necrotic pancreatitis after days of partying

A 36-year-old man was hospitalized in critical condition with milky white plasma and acute necrotic pancreatitis due to a sudden spike in blood fat levels after the Tet holiday.

Currently undergoing intensive care at Bach Mai Hospital for respiratory failure and hypotension, the man faced a life-or-death situation just one day after falling ill. Doctor Duong Minh Tuan, from the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, assessed the patient's test results as a "red alert" level, with pancreatic enzymes soaring and blood fat levels dangerously high.

Previously, the patient had been diagnosed with high blood fat but neglected treatment, feeling healthy. During the recent Tet holiday, he frequently attended parties featuring many fatty foods, sweets, and alcohol. One morning, he experienced sudden, severe epigastric pain that radiated to his back, accompanied by continuous nausea, prompting his family to take him to the emergency room.

Milky white plasma due to acute pancreatitis. Photo: Doctor provided

Doctor Tuan noted that this is not an isolated case. Immediately after Tet, the hospital frequently admitted many individuals under 40 years old suffering from acute pancreatitis due to extremely high triglyceride levels. Alcohol consumption plays a significant role in triggering this dangerous complication. When the body consumes alcohol, the liver prioritizes metabolizing the alcohol, reducing its ability to process fats. Simultaneously, it stimulates greater triglyceride production, causing blood fat levels to spike rapidly.

Numerous medical studies indicate a significant increase in the risk of acute pancreatitis when triglyceride levels exceed 11 mmol/L. High blood fat often progresses silently and without symptoms, leading many to neglect health monitoring. When fat concentrations become too high, pancreatic enzymes break down fats into large quantities of free fatty acids. These fatty acids are toxic, directly damaging the pancreas and initiating a pathological cycle. The inflamed pancreas continues to release digestive enzymes, causing edema and necrosis, ultimately releasing inflammatory substances into the bloodstream and leading to multi-organ failure.

Experts advise preventing the condition by controlling diet, eating to about 80% fullness, and balancing nutrient groups. Individuals should obtain 50-60% of their carbohydrates from vegetables, fruits, and brown rice, while also using nuts and fresh fruits as alternatives to sweet cakes and jams. Everyone should also minimize alcohol consumption, reduce salty foods, and maintain regular health check-ups to proactively prevent the risk of pancreatitis, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes.