Pancreas: Facts, Information, and Resources About Pancreatitis

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What is the Pancreas?

The pancreas is a gland organ in the endocrine and digestive system of vertebrates. It is located behind the stomach and is at the level of the top of the small intestine. This is one of the most protective areas of the body. This means that the pancreas is generally resistant to injury. At the same time, its location makes it an extremely difficult organ to examine. The pancreas contains two types of tissues, acini tissue and islets tissue. The acini is responsible for producing the digestive enzyme while the islet tissue is responsible for producing hormones.

The pancreas is the combination of two glands, the endocrine gland and the exocrine gland. The two glands work together. When an individual is eating, the glands function to digest the food. They also inform the rest of the body that the nutrients are being digested and absorbed. These glands send a message to the cells of the body that nutrients are on their way. The exocrine gland is responsible for secreting pancreatic juice. What is Pancreatic juice? This juice contains digestive enzymes that pass to the small intestine and help to further breakdown the carbohydrates, protein and fat in the chyme. The endocrine gland is responsible for producing hormones. What two hormones are produced by the endocrine gland? These are insulin, glucagon and somatostatin. What does insulin do? Insulin lowers the level of sugar in the blood. What does glucagon do? Glucagon raises the level of sugar in the blood. What does Samoatostatin do? Samoatostatin stops the other two hormones from being released.

Can a Person Live Without a Pancreas?

If someone must have their pancreas removed, the hormones and functions must be replaced:

Insulin

The first hormone that needs to be replaced is insulin. An indication of diabetes is problems with the endocrine function of the pancreas. There is a resulting difficulty controlling blood sugar. In order to replace one’s endocrine function, insulin injections are taken.

Enzyme Produced by the Acni

The second hormone which needs to substituted is the enzyme produced by the “acni.” These are the proteins that break food down so that the body can make use of its nutrients. Without this process, one would not be able to digest and use the food for energy and growth. This process can be replaced by taking pancreatic enzyme medication with every meal or snack.

Process Initiated by Duct Cells

The last process that would need to be replaced is the process initiated by duct cells. These cells create a liquid that is comprised of water and “sodium bicarbonate.” This liquid aids with the flushing of the digestive enzymes out of the pancreas. The pancreatic juice flows from the acinar cells that make powerful digestive enzymes to the first part of the small intestine known as the duodenum. This juice mixes with food when it leaves the stomach. A high percentage of bicarbonate is found in the juice that neutralizes the stomach acid. If sodium bicarbonate is not produced, digestive enzymes will not break down the food. The stomach acid would damage the lining of the small intestine. This would result in an ulcer being formed. Acid blockers are pills that can be taken as a substitute. These pills are needed to stop the stomach from making a lot of acid if the pancreas is not making enough sodium bicarbonate.

What is the Most Common Problem Associated with the Pancreas?

Pancreatitis is the most common problem associated with the pancreas. It is a disease in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. Damage to the pancreas occurs when the enzymes that help with digestion are activated before they are secreted into the duodenum. Once they are secreted they begin attacking the pancreas. It can occur in two different forms: acute and chronic, and these forms differ greatly. Acute pancreatitis, also known as “acute pancreatic necrosis,” is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas. Chronic pancreatitis presents persistent or recurring abdominal pain with or without diabetes melitius or steatorrhea. The most common cause of acute pancreatitis is the existence of gallstones, while excessive alcohol is a common cause of chronic pancreatitis. Gallstones are small, pebble-like substances that develop in the gallbladder and are located below your liver in the right upper abdomen.

Can Pancreas Problems Cause Chest Pain?

A typical symptom of chest pain is not usually diagnosed as being related to the pancreas. However, it is possible that inflammation of one’s pancreas can cause acute abdominal pain that radiates to one’s chest. As pancreas dysfunction is often overlooked in the case of chest pain, it is very important to examine all the signs and effects of pancreas problems.

Although chest pain is present in some patients, the most common symptom of acute pancreatitis is upper abdominal pain. This abdominal pain is usually extremely painful and will radiate to one’s back. Other symptoms include a swollen and tender abdomen, nausea and vomiting, fever and an increased heart rate. Acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis have simila symptoms. Other symptoms include weight loss and diabetes if there is damage to the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas.

The most common cause of chest pain is a result of cardiac issues such as a heart attack, angina, aortic dissection, coronary spasm, pericarditis or other heart-related issues. Although cardiac issues are the most likely source of chest pain, it is still necessary for the rest of the body and organs to be examined, which includes the pancreas.

If pain occurs on the right hand side of the chest, it is more likely to be caused by pancreatic dysfunction. This is due to the fact that the pancreas is located in the upper abdominal region. If one is to experience pancreatic issues, the body may cause pain that radiates from the front to the back. If one is unfortunate enough to experience gallstones (a major contributing factor to acute pancreatitis), he or she would feel spurts of sharp abdominal pains. It is likely that these pains would ascend up to the chest. If one is already suffering from coronary heart disease, gallstones may trigger chest pains and can produce recurring chest pains.

Why Would Someone Have To Have Their Pancreas Removed?

There are conditions that cause the loss of the pancreas. In the majority of instances, the pancreas was lost as a result of diseases or was removed due to the presence of cancer. Only a few years ago it would not have been possible to live without a pancreas. People would not survive as they would not be able to digest food. They would suffer severe diabetes. Today, one can take insulin to regulate the blood sugar concentration. It is possible to ensure that stomach acid is reduced to replace the function of duct cells. And one can take pancreatic enzyme supplements to aid digestion. It is thus possible to live without the pancreas although these replacement measures must be continued for the remainder of the individual’s life.

Resources about the Pancreas

Information about Pancreatitis with answers to common questions such as; What is pancreatitis?, What is acute pancreatitis?, What is chronic pancreatitis?, How common is pancreatitis in children?

PSU’s information, questions and answers about Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancrelipase Pancrelipase is used to improve digestion of foods and prevent frequent, fatty, foul-smelling bowel movements in people who have a condition that affects the pancreas such as cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, or a blockage in the passages between the pancreas and the intestine, or who have had surgery to remove all or part of the pancreas or stomach.

Resource by B.Matthews

I am a fun outgoing girl who loves to go to concerts and sit on the grass and read. My favorite books are those that make me think about life, love and how the world spins around no matter the troubles that you're going through.

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