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The pancreas is an organ located
immediately adjacent to the first part of the small intestine or
duodenum. Its main function is to secrete digestive enzymes into
the small intestine in order to help digest carbohydrates, protein and
fat. It also secretes bicarbonate and water which neutralize the acid
mixed with the food delivered into the duodenum from the stomach.
Pancreas Disorders
Pancreatitis, lnflammation of the
Pancreas, Acute pancreatitis - A condition in which the cells
of the pancreas become inflamed. The most common causes of pancreatitis
in the United States are alcohol ingestion and gallbladder disease with
gallstones. Also people with very high triglyceride levels (fat) in the
blood stream may develop pancreatitis, and patients taking certain
medications occasionally develop pancreatitis. The medications most
commonly causing pancreatitis are birth control pills, estrogens and
steroids (i.e. prednisone or cortisone). For patients with alcohol
induced acute pancreatitis, the treatment is to stop alcohol
consumption. If continued alcohol consumption occurs, the patient my
develop chronic pancreatitis. Both conditions are associated with upper
abdominal pain (sometimes radiating straight through into the back),
nausea, vomiting and weight loss. In chronic pancreatitis, the function
of the pancreas may be destroyed. When this is the case a person will no
longer be able to digest and absorb nutrients adequately because of the
inadequate production of digestive enzymes. As a result, abdominal
cramps, gas and diarrhea will develop along with profound weight loss.
This condition can be corrected by the ingestion of pancreatic enzymes
with meals.
Cancer of the Pancreas - The
growth of abnormal cells which are no longer under control of the body.
The cause of cancer of the pancreas is not known. Unfortunately, once
diagnosed, the disease has usually progressed to the point that surgery
is no longer successful in removing all of the cancer. One exception is
when the cancer develops in the area of the bile duct where it empties
into the small intestine. If the tumor, early in its development, causes
obstruction of the bile duct and the person becomes jaundiced (yellow
color of the eyes and skin), he may seek medical attention early and the
tumor may be completely removed with surgery. A frequent symptom is
vague abdominal discomfort often with radiation of the pain into the
back, which may be worse after meals.
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