Deep inside the human body, there is a small organ, which, although small in size, has an incomparably important role. It's the pancreas. The pancreas, the "invisible hero", silently plays a vital role in our bodies, from digesting food to regulating blood sugar. So, how much do you know about the pancreas?
The pancreas: the dual role of digestion and metabolism
The pancreas is a long, narrow gland located in the upper abdomen, close to the posterior abdominal wall. Its main function is to secrete digestive enzymes and hormones that help the body digest food and regulate blood sugar. The pancreas can be divided into two parts: exocrine and endocrine. The exocrine department is mainly responsible for secreting pancreatic juice, which contains various digestive enzymes such as trypsin, lipase, and amylase, which are able to break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in food to help the body absorb nutrients. The endocrine department is composed of pancreatic islet cells, which mainly secrete hormones such as insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar levels.
What are the diseases of the pancreas?
1. Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is an inflamed condition of the pancreas, usually due to premature activation of pancreatic enzymes in the pancreas leading to self-digestion. It is divided into two forms, acute and chronic:
Acute pancreatitis: This is an inflammation that occurs suddenly.
Chronic pancreatitis: This is a long-term inflamed condition of the pancreas, which can lead to pancreatic dysfunction over time. Chronic pancreatitis can be caused by years of alcohol abuse, genetics, or other unknown causes.
2. Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer is a serious pancreatic disease with a relatively low survival rate. It may not be symptomatic in the early stages, but it may present with jaundice, abdominal pain, and unintentional weight loss in the later stages. The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown, but things like smoking, having long-term pancreatitis, family history, obesity, and diabetes are considered risk factors.
3. Pancreatic disease caused by cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that affects multiple organs, including the pancreas. It can cause thick mucus to clog the pancreatic ducts, which can impede the normal flow of digestive enzymes and may cause chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic insufficiency.
4. Pancreatic endocrine diseases
Including insulinoma and other endocrine tumors. These diseases affect the hormone production of the pancreas and can cause abnormal blood sugar levels.
5. Pancreatic insufficiency and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency
Pancreatic insufficiency can be caused by conditions such as pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, or cystic fibrosis. Exocrine insufficiency is when the pancreas does not produce enough digestive enzymes to digest food properly.
6. Other pancreatic problems
There are also some other rare pancreatic diseases like pancreatic cysts, hereditary pancreatic diseases, pseudopancreatic cysts, etc.
If pancreatic disease is suspected, diagnosis and treatment by a medical professional should be sought.
What are the symptoms of a sick pancreas
Symptoms of pancreatitis
- Pain in the upper abdomen: The pain may be sudden or slowly worse, usually radiating to the back.
- Abdominal swelling and tenderness: The abdomen may feel very delicate, and sometimes noticeable swelling may be felt.
- Fever: may be accompanied by a low-grade or high-grade fever.
- Nausea and vomiting: Symptoms of indigestion that may be accompanied by a decrease in appetite.
- Rapid heart rate: You may experience a rapid heartbeat.
- Jaundice: In some cases, people with pancreatitis may experience symptoms of yellowing of the skin and eyes.
- Greasy stools: Incomplete digestion of fats due to insufficient secretion of pancreatic enzymes, resulting in the discharge of greasy, foul-smelling stools.
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer
- Persistent abdominal or back pain: The pain may get worse and be more pronounced at night.
- Unintentional weight loss: including loss of appetite.
- Jaundice: may include yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, darkening of the urine and lightening of the stool.
- Digestive problems: including nausea, vomiting, bloating, etc.
- New or worsening diabetes: Pancreatic cancer can affect insulin production, causing changes in blood sugar levels.
- Fatigue: Fatigue or weakness is common.
- Depression: Some patients with pancreatic cancer report depressive symptoms.
Other symptoms that may be related
- Changing fecal habits
- Itchy skin (usually due to jaundice)
- Accumulation of ascites (abnormal fluid accumulation in the abdomen)
It is important to note that many of these symptoms can also be a sign of a variety of other diseases. Therefore, if you experience any of the above symptoms or other unusual symptoms, you should contact a medical professional for diagnosis and advice as soon as possible.
What are the daily behaviors that are easy to hurt the pancreas?
Daily actions can cause damage to the pancreas, which can lead to pancreatitis or other related diseases. Here are some everyday behaviors that can harm the pancreas:
1. Excessive alcohol consumption: Long-term heavy alcohol consumption is a major factor in pancreatitis and long-term pancreatic damage.
2. Smoking: Smoking is associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer and may exacerbate symptoms of pancreatitis.
3. High-fat diet: Excessive intake of high-fat foods, especially foods containing a lot of saturated fat, can increase the burden on the pancreas, sometimes causing acute pancreatitis.
4. High-sugar diets: High-sugar diets may lead to weight gain, increasing the risk of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.
5. Overeating: Overeating can suddenly increase the workload of the pancreas, which can trigger pancreatitis.
6. Lack of exercise: Lack of physical activity increases the risk of several diseases, including those that affect the pancreas.
7. Chronic stress state: Prolonged stress may affect the body's hormonal balance, which may indirectly affect the health of the pancreas.
8. Certain medications: Some medications can be toxic to the pancreas, such as certain types of diuretics and antibiotics, which can harm the pancreas if used for a long time or inappropriately.
9. Rapid weight loss: Rapid weight loss may lead to disorders of bile metabolism, which in turn may induce gallstones, which are one of the common causes of acute pancreatitis.
10. Excessive intake of carbonated beverages and processed foods: These foods tend to be high in sugar, artificial additives, and unhealthy fats, which have potential negative effects on overall health and pancreatic function.
If you have any pancreas-related health problems, it is advisable to consult a medical professional.
How to protect the pancreas on a daily basis?
1. Eat a healthy diet
Balanced intake: Adopt a balanced diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Limit processed foods and red meat: Reduce your intake of processed and red meat, and try to avoid foods that are high in fat and sugar.
Increase dietary fiber: Increase your dietary fiber intake by eating more vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains.
Drink responsibly: If you drink alcohol, limit it. No more than two servings of alcoholic beverages per day for men and one serving per day for women.
2. Maintain Healthy Weight
Control your weight: Maintain a normal body mass index (BMI) by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
Exercise regularly: Get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling.
3. Quit smoking: Smoking is a risk factor for many diseases, including pancreatic cancer, and quitting smoking can significantly reduce the risk of these diseases.
4. Regular medical check-ups: Work with medical professionals to conduct regular health check-ups so that possible problems can be detected early.
5. Manage blood sugar: It's important to keep your blood sugar levels under control, especially for people with diabetes.
6. Focus on gallbladder health: Gallbladder disease and gallstones can increase the risk of pancreatitis.
7. Use medications responsibly: Avoid long-term or inappropriate use of certain medications, especially those that may affect pancreatic function.
8. Reduce stress levels: Stress may indirectly affect the health of the pancreas, learn stress reduction techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, yoga, etc.
Pay attention to personal hygiene
Prevent infections: Practice good personal hygiene to reduce the risk of infection, some infections can also lead to pancreatitis.
Keeping your pancreas healthy is a long-term process that requires a combination of a healthy diet, moderate exercise, and good lifestyle habits. If you have questions or symptoms about your pancreatic health, it's important to consult a medical professional.