The term 'bangungot" is loosely used to describe a severe, agonizing nightmare that many times ends in death. The term "bangungot" is somehow implicated by the local folks to a condition, where the victim, who had ingested a lot of food (presumably fatty foods, sea foods) and alcoholic beverages immediately before going to bed, never woke up from sleep, which could also be the clinical picture of acute pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, which is a gland located behind the stomach. The pancreas mainly produces digestive juices (enzymes and a substance called sodium bicarbonate, and insulin), which, together with bile from the liver and gallbladder, is secreted into the small intestine to aid in the digestion of food. In the Philippines, the acute form of this malady is labeled by many laymen as "Bangungot."
During acute pancreatitis, the pancreas is damaged (digested) by its own enzymes, leading to swelling and hemorrhage of the pancreas, internal bleeding and shock, not infrequently fatal. The others who survive but continue to abuse themselves with alcohol and fatty foods progress to the chronic form of pancreatitis.
Most would ask, does drinking one or two drink increase the risk? The answer is no. There is no medical evidence among healthy people to show that drinking alcoholic beverage in prudent moderation increases the risk for acute pancreatitis. It is excessive alcohol intake that burns not only the liver and the stomach lining but the pancreas as well. The latter could lead to acute and/or chronic pancreatitis and its potential complications.
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