Conditions and Treatment

Organs - Pancreas

Acute Pancreatitis | Chronic Pancreatitis | Pancreas Enzyme Deficiency

The pancreas produces digestive juices and enzymes that help digest fat, protein, and carbohydrates. The pancreas also produces insulin, which helps your body regular the amount of sugar in your blood.

Acute Pancreatitis
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 the 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.

Acute pancreatitis 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 causes 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.

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 medications which stop the pancreas from producing enzymes.

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, i.e., either avoid alcohol or drugs, reduce blood fats, or have gallbladder surgery.

Chronic Pancreatitis
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 the 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.

Chronic pancreatitis 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
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 the 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.

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.