Understanding the Pancreas: Functions and Health

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Understanding the Pancreas Functions and Health

• By
• Dr. Valeria Simone MD
• (Southlake General Surgery, Texas, USA)

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Overview

• The pancreas is a sizable gland with a shape
  reminiscent of a tadpole, located deep within the
  abdominal cavity. It is quite essential for the
  processes of digestion and the regulation of
  blood sugar levels in our body.
• Diagnosing pancreatic disease can be challenging
  because of the organs positioning. However,
  there are actions you can take to lower your
  likelihood of experiencing these issues.

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What is a Pancreas?

• The pancreas is a big gland located behind your
  stomach. It resides in the curve of your
  duodenum, which is the initial segment of your
  small intestine. Your pancreas functions as a
  dual organ. Your pancreas serves two primary
  roles, and it produces
• Enzymes (amylase, lipase, trypsin) that assist in
  the digestive process which includes the
  breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
  (exocrine system).
• Hormones (insulin, glucagon, somatostatin) to
  regulate the levels of sugar present in your
  blood (endocrine system).

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Function of Pancreas
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What role does the pancreas play in our body?

• The pancreas is an essential organ that keeps
  your body in balance and helps support other
  organs such as your heart, liver, and kidneys.
• One of the primary functions of your pancreas is
  to assist in the digestive process and it is
  responsible for releasing hormones that help
  regulate blood sugar levels.

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Help with the process of digestion

• Your pancreas produces approximately 1-4 liters
  of enzyme-rich digestive juice daily to help you
  digest nutrient breakdown from consumed foods.
  The specific amount can change based on the
  quantity of food you consume.
• Following a meal, its likely that you dont give
  much thought to the process of digestion unless
  you experience discomfort or develop indigestion.
• However, multiple organs collaborate to assist in
  the breakdown process. Lets explore what happens
  when food enters your stomach

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The Digestive Process A Step-by-Step Breakdown

• Step 1 Pancreatic Juice Release After eating,
  your pancreas releases digestive juice into small
  ducts that flow into your main pancreatic duct.
• Step 2 Duct Connection Your main pancreatic
  duct merges with the bile duct. This duct
  transports bile from your liver to the
  gallbladder.
• Step 3 Bile Transport Bile travels from your
  gallbladder to the duodenum (small intestines
  first section).
• Step 4 Digestive Breakdown Pancreatic juice and
  bile enter the duodenum to breakdown food into
  nutrients.

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Pancreas Create Hormones

• The pancreas produces important hormones, such as
  insulin and glucagon, which play a crucial role
  in regulating the sugar levels in your
  bloodstream.
• When your blood sugar levels rise, your pancreas
  produces insulin to help bring them back down.
  When the blood sugar levels drop, your pancreas
  generates glucagon to help raise them back up.
• Maintaining balanced blood sugar is essential for
  your body to function effectively, ensuring that
  vital organs such as your heart, liver, kidneys,
  and brain operate smoothly.

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Anatomy of Pancreas

• Location of Pancreas in Body
• Your pancreas is located deep within your
  abdomen, positioned behind the stomach and in
  front of the spine. The spleen, gallbladder, and
  liver surround the pancreas.
• Anatomy of Pancreas
• Pancreas has various components, each fulfilling
  a distinct function.
• Head The head of the pancreas is located on the
  right side of the abdomen, which measures about
  2-3 centimeters adjacent to the small intestine.
• Body The pancreas central portion measures about
  10-12 centimeters long and it contains most of
  the pancreatic tissue.
• Tail The pancreas tail is about 2-3 cm in
  diameter, and it extends to the left side of the
  abdomen, adjacent to the spleen.
• Pancreatic Duct The pancreatic duct runs the
  full length of the pancreas.

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How does the pancreas appear?

• The pancreas is a glandular organ, that measures
  about 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) in length and is
  situated in the abdominal cavity.
• Your pancreas has a unique shape that resembles a
  tadpole, featuring a thicker head and a thin
  tail. Its surface is uneven, resembling the
  texture of a corn cob.
• The pancreas constitutes around 0.1-0.2 of total
  body mass, which is roughly the weight of a small
  banana.

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Common Pancreatic Disorders and Symptoms

• The pancreas is tucked away in your body, but it
  can still face issues. These issues can go from
  short-term inflammation of the pancreas to
  lasting illnesses.

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Which diseases and disorders can compromise the
pancreas?

• Your pancreas can be affected by various
  conditions and ailments that can influence its
  functionality, including
• Chronic pancreatitis is persistent inflammation.
  It occurs due to excessive alcohol consumption,
  which may lead to discomfort, digestive issues,
  and the onset of diabetes.
• Pancreatic cancer is a serious condition, and it
  is hard to detect in the early stages. It can
  also spread to other organs before being noticed.
  Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer may
  include pain in the abdominal area or back,
  weight loss, and jaundice.
• Pancreatic cysts are quite common among
  individuals. They are fluid-filled sacs that
  could potentially contain precancerous cells.
  Regular checks and tests, like endoscopic
  ultrasound and biopsy, are important to keep an
  eye on these cysts.
• Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas is
  unable to generate adequate insulin levels.
• Type 2 diabetes happens when the body makes
  insulin but does not use it well.
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) happens when blood
  glucose levels drop under 70 mg/dL, which can
  pose risks to the brain and essential organs. It
  is typically associated with diabetes, yet it can
  also impact individuals who do not have the
  condition.
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) arises when
  blood sugar levels exceed 180 mg/dL, which can
  lead to harm to organs and tissues. This
  situation frequently arises in diabetes when
  there is an insufficient amount of insulin
  available. If left unaddressed, it may lead to
  significant complications such as diabetic
  ketoacidosis.

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Symptoms of Pancreatic Disease

• Diseases that impact the pancreas can have
  strange symptoms. This can make it difficult to
  spot them early. Its very important to recognize
  the warning signs. If you observe any of these
  signs, it is recommended to consult a physician.
• Digestive Symptoms may include
• Abdominal pain (upper or middle)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea or oily stools
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite

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• Pancreatitis-Specific Symptoms
• Sudden, severe abdominal pain
• Fever
• Swollen abdomen
• Tenderness to the touch
• Diabetes-Related Symptoms
• (due to insulin imbalance)
• Increased thirst and urination
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Slow healing wounds

• Other Symptoms
• Jaundice (yellowing skin and eyes)
• Dark urine
• Pale or greasy stools
• Indigestion
• Bloating
• Severe Symptoms (seek immediate medical
  attention)
• Severe abdominal pain
• Vomiting blood
• Bloody stools
• Difficulty breathing
• Rapid heartbeat

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Diagnostic Approaches to Evaluate the Health of
the Pancreas

• To assess the functionality of your pancreas,
  healthcare professionals typically start by
  reviewing your medical history and conducting a
  physical examination.

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• Imaging Tests
• Computed Tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Ultrasound (US)
• Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan
• Blood Tests
• Amylase and lipase levels (pancreatitis)
• Glucose tolerance test (diabetes)
• Pancreatic enzyme tests (elastase, trypsin)
• Tumor marker tests (CA 19-9)
• Endoscopic Procedures
• Endoscopic Retrograde
• Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• 2.Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)
• 3. Pancreatoscopy

• Pancreatic Function Tests
• Pancreatic stimulation test (measures enzyme
  secretion)
• Glucose tolerance test (assesses insulin
  function)
• Biopsy and Histopathology
• Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB)
• Core needle biopsy
• Other Tests
• Stool tests (elastase, fat content)
• Pancreatic juice analysis
• Genetic testing (hereditary conditions)

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Treatment Options From Medication to Surgery

• Treatment for pancreatic diseases varies
  depending on the condition, how far it has
  progressed, and the persons health. Your
  healthcare providers address pancreatic
  conditions through various approaches, tailored
  to the specific condition at hand.
• Treatment Options by Condition
• Diabetes Insulin replacement therapy
• Pancreatic Cancer Chemotherapy, radiation
  therapy, and surgery
• Pancreatitis Dietary modifications, medications,
  and surgery (in severe cases)
• Advanced Cases Pancreas transplant or
  pancreatectomy (partial/total removal)
• Islet Cell Transplant Transplanting islets of
  Langerhans cells into the liver
• Medication for pancreatic treatment
• There are several medications available that can
  help in managing pancreatic conditions
• Pain management analgesics, narcotics
• Pancreatitis anti-inflammatory medications
• Diabetes oral hypoglycemics, insulin
• Enzyme replacement pancreatic enzymes
• Antibiotics (infections)

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Surgical Treatment for Pancreatic Conditions

• In many cases, surgical procedures are essential
  for addressing pancreatic issues, serving either
  as the main approach or alongside additional
  treatment methods. The objective of surgical
  intervention is to eliminate unhealthy tissue,
  alleviate symptoms, and enhance overall quality
  of life.
• Various procedures are employed, depending on the
  conditions severity and location.
• Pancreatectomy, involving partial or total
  removal of the pancreas, is commonly performed
  for pancreatic cancer, severe chronic
  pancreatitis, and benign tumors.
• The Whipple procedure, a complex operation
  removing the head of the pancreas, duodenum, bile
  duct, and gallbladder, is generally reserved for
  pancreatic cancer and ampullary cancer.
• Distal pancreatectomy, involves the surgical
  removal of the body and tail of the pancreas,
  serving as a treatment option for pancreatic
  cancer, benign tumors, and cysts.
• Pancreas transplantation, either alone or
  simultaneously with kidney transplantation,
  offers a treatment option for severe type 1
  diabetes and end-stage renal disease.
• Islet cell transplantation, involving the
  transfer of insulin-producing cells into the
  liver, provides an alternative for managing
  severe type 1 diabetes and chronic pancreatitis.
• Necrosectomy, the removal of dead pancreatic
  tissue, is performed in cases of severe acute
  pancreatitis or infected pancreatic necrosis.
• Surgical approaches include open
  surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and
  robotic-assisted methods, each with varying
  benefits and risks. Its important to consult
  with a qualified healthcare professional to find
  the best surgical approach tailored to your
  specific pancreatic condition.

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The Role of Diet and Lifestyle in Managing
Pancreatic Health

• Maintaining good health for your pancreas is not
  only about treatment. It is also about preventing
  problems and taking charge of your health. A
  nutritious diet plays a crucial role in this
  context.
• Lets explore more Pancreas 101 Understanding
  Functions and Health - Southlake General Surgery

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Make an Appointment

• To book your appointment with Dr. Valeria Simone,
  MD, at Southlake General Surgery in Texas, USA,
  call 1 [phone]. You can also make an
  online appointment with us. Dr. Simone helps with
  pancreatic health. She works on problems like
  pancreatic cancer, issues in the digestive
  system, and pancreatic enzymes.
• If you need help with blood sugar or think you
  might have problems with your pancreas, Dr.
  Simone can assist you. Common signs include
  abdominal pain and weight loss. Contact us today
  to begin looking after your pancreatic health.

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• Medically Reviewed By Dr. Valeria Simone MD
• Board-certified General Surgeon at Southlake
  General Surgery, Texas, USA.
• Follow us on Facebook and YouTube.
• Source Pancreas 101 Understanding Functions and
  Health - Southlake General Surgery

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