Pancreatic Disease
The spectrum of pancreatic disease is very broad, ranging from the complex and bizarre congenital pancreatic anomalies to the more typical acquired causes (e.g., drug-induced pancreatitis or trauma injury to the pancreas). Genetics appears to play a major role in many childhood pancreas diseases, unlike adults where alcohol is a major factor, but most disorders of the pancreas can be found in both children and adults.
The pancreas is a gland behind your stomach and in front of your spine.
It produces juices that help break down food and hormones that help control blood sugar levels. The pancreas is called the "hidden organ" because it is located deep in the abdomen behind the stomach. The pancreas, six to eight inches long in adults, contains thin tubes that come together like the veins of a leaf. These tubes join to form a single opening into the intestine that is located just beyond the stomach.
The pancreas is located near and partially behind the stomach. The endocrine tissue of the pancreas consists of insulin and glucagon producing cells called the islets of Langerhans. However, more than 98% of the pancreas consists of exocrine cells (glands and ducts). These cells secrete digestive enzymes into the gastrointestinal tract via a duct that opens into the duodenum.
The pancreas produces juices and enzymes that flow through these tubes into the intestine, where they mix with food. The enzymes digest fat, protein, and carbohydrates so they can be absorbed by the intestine. Pancreatic juices, therefore, play an important role in maintaining good health.
The pancreas also produces insulin, which is picked up by the blood flowing through the organ. Insulin is important in regulating the amount of sugar or glucose in the blood.The pancreas is largely responsible for maintaining blood sugar (glucose) levels. The pancreas can measure blood sugar, and if it is high or low, then the pancreas releases the hormone insulin to correct a high level and glucagon for a low level. Blood glucose must be maintained at a certain level for cells to neither gain or lose water. Glucose is also vital for cellular respiration to get energy
Pancreatic Problems
Problems with the pancreas can lead to many health problems, and these include:
- Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, can be acute or chronic. This happens when digestive enzymes start digesting the pancreas itself.
- Pancreatic enzyme deficiency. Normally, enzymes from the pancreas break down protein, fat, and carbohydrates in foods that are ingested. When there is a deficiency of these enzymes, nutrients are not broken down, resulting in malnutrition and weight loss. This condition is called malabsorption because the intestine is unable to absorb these vital nutrients.
- Benign pancreatic tumors are benign and cause no problems, while others pancreatic tumors can secrete hormones which, when present in high levels, have a detrimental effect. For example, insulin can be secreted in excessive amounts and result in dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). Another hormone that pancreatic tumors can sometimes produce is gastrin, and gastin can stimulate the stomach to secrete its strong hydrochloric acid causing recurrent stomach and peptic ulcers.
- Pancreatic cancer, or malignant tumors, are difficult to treat and often fatal. The disorder occurs in middle or older-aged people, with the first symptom often being dull pain in the upper abdomen that may radiate into the back.
- Cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder in which thick, sticky mucus is produced in the lungs, can also block tubes in the pancreas.
- The pancreas also plays a role in diabetes mellitus. In type I diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas no longer make insulin because the body's immune system has attacked them. In type II diabetes, the pancreas loses the ability to secrete enough insulin in response to meals, and the insulin receptors on the cells become insensitive to the insulin.
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