Monday 28 November 2016

Diseases of the Pancreas- Their Symptoms and Treatments

The pancreas is a large gland in the abdomen. It is a significant part of the digestive system and a critical controller of blood sugar levels. So, if any problem occurs in this gland, then the entire function of the body gets affected. Some of the common problems of pancreas are listed below:


  • Acute or chronic pancreatitis
  • Pancreatic pseudocyst
  • Pancreatic tumors
  • Cholangiocarcinoma
  • Gallbladder cancer
  • Common bile duct stone
  • Gallbladder stone

Symptoms that indicate that the pancreas is not working properly:

If the pancreas is not working correctly, various health problems can occur. The pancreas can become swollen, develop obstructions and can get affected by cancer. It is vital to recognize the symptoms of a pancreatic disease, so as to start the treatment as soon as possible. The common symptom that may occur is the pain in the abdomen usually in the upper portion. The pain usually develops after eating and gradually worsens over time. An individual may complain of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in case the digestive juices are no longer secreted by the pancreas.

Apart from these, some of the other symptoms that an individual may experience include unusual weight loss, general feeling of weakness, exhaustion, and malaise. The patient may also have symptoms such as loss of appetite and bloated stomach etc. It is important to consult a pancreas specialist in Delhi to ensure that these symptoms are correctly diagnosed.

How to Avoid Pancreatic Diseases ?

Adopting a healthy lifestyle and the intake of balanced diet can help in keeping the pancreatic diseases at bay. Restricting use of tobacco and alcohol may help in keeping the pancreas healthy. Moreover, taking foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can also be of great help. Avoiding excessive fat and carbohydrates and drinking fresh juices are also quite beneficial. Maintaining the blood sugar at the normal level and keeping the body weight in check can also help in keeping the pancreas healthy.

Specialists also suggest that as soon as any symptoms mentioned above are noticed, you should always get in touch with a pancreas specialist so that the treatment can be started early. Early treatment of the pancreas may include administration of medications along with a successful overall treatment of pancreatitis which requires a team approach. The problems detected at a later stage are difficult to treat and may include treatments like nerve blocks, chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy and other supportive care depending on the extent of the disease.

Tests that are used to Diagnose Pancreas Problems

The physician in order to diagnose pancreas problem may suggest tests such as Blood Test, Secretin Stimulation Test, CT scan with Contrast Dye, Abdominal Ultrasound, Fecal Elastase Test or Endoscopic Ultrasound.

Thus, it is important to consult an experienced pancreas specialist so that the pancreatic diseases can be diagnosed and treated in a timely manner.