Condition Summary
The pancreas is called the “hidden organ” because it is located deep in the abdomen behind the stomach. About six to eight inches long in an adult, the organ 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 produces juices and enzymes that flow through the 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 mixes with the blood flowing through the organ. Insulin is important in regulating the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood.
What Are the Types & Causes?
A number of problems can occur in the pancreas. These include:
- Diabetes Millitus
- Acute Pancreatitis
- Chronic Pancreatitis
- Pancreatic Enzyme Deficiency
- Pancreas Tumor
Diabetes Mellitus
Most cases of diabetes are caused by a deficiency of insulin. Insulin is needed to help glucose, which is a major source of energy, enter the body’s cells. It is not known why insulin-producing cells in the pancreas die off. When they cease to function, glucose accumulates in the blood and eventually spills into the urine. More importantly, high blood glucose levels, over time, result in significant changes in blood vessels in the eyes, kidneys, heart, legs, and nerves. Damage to these vital organs represents the major risk for patients with diabetes.
Many patients with diabetes require daily insulin injections. Other patients who develop diabetes later in life have sufficient insulin in the pancreas, but for some unknown reason it is not available for the body’s use. These patients typically are overweight and, therefore weight loss is critical for them. In addition, oral medications can be taken that help release insulin from the pancreas. All diabetics need to maintain normal or near-normal blood glucose levels to prevent or delay the complications of this disease.
Acute Pancreatitis
This condition occurs when the pancreas becomes quickly and severely inflamed. The major causes are:
- Heavy alcohol ingestion
- Gallstones or gallbladder disease
- Trauma
- Drugs
- High blood fats
- Heredity
- Unknown factors
Binge alcohol drinking is a common cause of acute pancreatitis. Gallbladder disease, especially where a gallstone becomes lodged in the main bile duct next to the pancreas, also causes this condition. Accidents, such as hitting the steering wheel during a car accident, can cause pancreatitis. Certain drugs, such as diuretics, can produce the disorder as can extremely high blood fat levels (triglycerides). In some families, the condition develops from unknown causes. Heredity is suspected to play a role. Also, there are cases of the disorder that occur for unknown reasons. In all cases, the digestive enzymes of the pancreas break out into the tissue of the organ rather than stay within the tubes (ducts). Severe damage to the pancreas can then result.
Chronic Pancreatitis
This condition occurs mostly in alcoholics or people who repeatedly binge drink alcohol. The main symptoms are recurrent, dull, or moderate pain without the severe toxic features of acute pancreatitis. Treatment consists of rest, medication, and certain food restrictions. Alcohol consumption is prohibited permanently. However, in cases where damage is extensive, recurrent, chronic pancreatitis and pain can occur even when alcohol consumption has stopped.
Diagnosis of this condition is made by measuring blood enzymes and by performing x-ray and ultrasound exams as well as a test called an ERCP. In this test, a flexible tube is passed through the mouth into the intestine while the patient is lightly sedated. A small plastic catheter is inserted into the pancreas ducts and an x-ray dye is injected. The internal anatomy of the pancreas can then be viewed.
Occasionally a problem develops when the patient becomes dependent on pain medicine to control the recurrent symptoms. In some cases, surgery is recommended to provide relief.
Pancreas Enzyme Deficiency
Digestive enzymes in the pancreas are necessary to 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 termed malabsorption because the intestine is unable to absorb these vital nutrients.
The two major symptoms are diarrhea (frequently with fat droplets in the stool) and weight loss. This condition can result from any cause of pancreatitis, as well as from trauma and infection. Pancreatic enzymes can be taken by mouth to replace those that are no longer made by the pancreas.
Pancreatic Tumors
The pancreas, like most organs of the body, can develop tumors. Many of these are benign and cause no problems. However, some benign tumors can secrete hormones which, when present in high levels, have a detrimental effect. For example, insulin can be secreted in excessive amounts and results in dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). Or another hormone, gastrin, can stimulate the stomach to secrete its strong hydrochloric acid causing recurrent stomach and peptic ulcers, with many of the complications of ulcer disease. Fortunately, there is much that can be done about these tumors.
Cancer of the pancreas is a serious malignancy which is difficult to treat. The disorder occurs in middle- or older-aged people, with the first symptom being dull pain in the upper abdomen that often radiates into the back. At times, skin jaundice occurs when the bile duct to the liver is blocked. When this symptom appears in this age group, it should be investigated by a physician.
Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
The main symptoms of pancreatitis are acute, severe pain in the upper abdomen, frequently accompanied by vomiting and fever. The abdomen is tender and the patient feels and looks severely ill. The diagnosis is substantiated by measuring the blood enzymes which are elevated. A sound wave test (ultrasound) often shows an enlarged pancreas. The condition is treated by resting the pancreas while the tissues heal. This is accomplished through hospitalization, bed rest, intravenous feeding, and at times, the use of certain medicines which stop the pancreas from producing enzymes.
Course and Outcome
Most patients with this condition recover well, although a few, especially those who have alcohol-induced pancreatitis, may become desperately sick. When recovered, the patient needs to correct the causative factor to prevent a recurrence, for example: avoid alcohol or drugs, reduce blood fats, or have gallbladder surgery.
Summary
The pancreas – the quiet, hidden gland – is vital to good health. It is subject to a variety of problems, some of which result from the patient’s own actions. There are now effective ways to diagnose pancreatic conditions and, in most cases, good treatment programs can be outlined by the physician.