The pancreas is an abdominal organ and is a vital part of the digestive system. Its function is to produce insulin and other important enzymes and hormones that help in breaking down food. It also has an endocrine function as it releases juices that go directly into the bloodstream where it regulates the system’s glucose or sugar levels. Issues with insulin control may lead to diabetes. Other than this, it also has an exocrine function since it releases juices into the ducts. The enzymes or digestive juices are secreted by the pancreas in the small intestine. This is where it continues breaking down food. Let us know more about its functions and the common disorders of the pancreas.
Disorders
If the above-mentioned functions are not properly carried out by the pancreas, it can lead to various pancreatic disorders, like:
- Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas: This occurs when digestive enzymes begin digesting the pancreas itself.
- Pancreatic cancer: formation of cancer cells in the pancreas.
- Cystic fibrosis: This is a genetic disorder in which a thick and sticky mucus blocks tubes in the pancreas.
Symptoms
The pancreas plays multiple roles. Thus, there can be various symptoms that an individual may observe in case pancreas is not functioning well. Some of the most common symptoms are:
- fever
- abdominal tenderness
- nausea or vomiting
- weight loss
- bloating
- diarrhoea
- light-coloured stool
- foul-smelling stool
These symptoms could be because of an underlying condition like EPI or pancreatitis. Thus, one should not overlook these symptoms and should consult one of the best pancreas specialists in Delhi or Gurgaon.
Prevention
By altering a few habits and bringing in some lifestyle changes, one can prevent various disorders related to the pancreas. Some of the ways, in which one can reduce the risk of developing pancreatic diseases are:
- Consuming little or no alcohol
- Consuming a low-fat diet
- Leading an active lifestyle (exercise regularly and lose excess weight)
- Skipping crash diets
- Quitting smoking
Severe disorders like pancreatitis and pancreas cancer can be treated if diagnosed in the early stages. Thus, it is extremely important to consult a pancreas specialist as soon as the individual starts witnessing symptoms.
