Contents:
- Medical Video: Pancreatitis - Causes, Symptoms, Treatments & More...
- What is the function of the pancreas for the body?
- Health problems in the pancreas
- 1. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- 2. Pancreatitis
- 3. Cystic fibrosis
- 4. Pancreatic cancer
- 5. Pseudocyst pancreas
- 6. Other disorders
- How to deal with pancreatic disorders?
Medical Video: Pancreatitis - Causes, Symptoms, Treatments & More...
If you are asked to mention various organs of the body, you may immediately remember the heart, brain, kidney, and liver (liver). Whereas the pancreas, which is one of the important organs, is often forgotten. Even though like other organs, the human pancreas must also be well cared for and maintained by its health. Therefore, let's learn what are the functions of the pancreas and various disorders that most often attack this organ.
What is the function of the pancreas for the body?
The main function of the pancreas is twofold, namely to carry out exocrine and endocrine functions. Exocrine is a gland that secretes an enzyme. Examples include salivary glands, sweat glands, milk glands (ASI), mucous glands, sebaceous glands (oil), and tear glands.
Enzymes are useful for breaking down food so that it can be digested and absorbed by the body. some of the enzymes produced by the pancreas are lipase, chemotripsin, trypsin and amylase. The enzyme has its own function.
Lipase functions to break down fat into cholesterol and fatty acids. Kemotripsin and trypsin to digest protein, and amylase functions to break down carbohydrates.
While endocrine plays a role in producing the hormone insulin. Insulin is responsible for converting glucose (sugar) into an energy source.
Health problems in the pancreas
A healthy pancreas will produce the right substances in the right amount and time. However, the pancreas that has a disorder is not able to produce digestive enzymes optimally so that absorption of food is also disrupted.
As a result, you may experience digestive problems such as diarrhea or fairly obvious weight loss.
Not only diarrhea or weight loss, disorders that are experienced by the pancreas can also cause several other dangerous diseases. The following are some types of health disorders that most often attack the pancreas.
1. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
In conditions type 2 diabetes, insulin does not work properly so that blood sugar rises. The pancreas also loses the ability to produce and release insulin according to the body's normal levels.
Whereas in type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce it insulin so that people with type 1 diabetes need insulin injections for the rest of their lives.
2. Pancreatitis
The main cause of this disease is still unknown. However, the presence of gallstones and the habit of consuming excessive alcoholic beverages can be one of the triggers. If you have pancreatitisthe pancreas becomes damaged and inflamed due to the digestive substance itself. Pancreatitis can cause death of the pancreatic tissue itself.
3. Cystic fibrosis
This disease is caused by a genetic disorder that causes abnormalities in the pancreas and lungs. This condition can cause diabetes or digestive problems.
4. Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer can be said to be a secretly deadly disease. This is because the initial symptoms are few and even not visible.
In the pancreas there are several types of cells that are at risk of developing into tumors. Cells found in the pancreatic duct are the most common sites for cancer.
5. Pseudocyst pancreas
A fluid filled cavity called the pseudocyst can form after an attack of pancreatitis. This disease can be overcome by performing a drainage surgery or in some patients it can heal by itself.
6. Other disorders
Other health problems in the pancreas are islet cell tumors. In this condition, hormone production increases sharply and the pancreas enlarges. However, this condition can also indicate other diseases.
How to deal with pancreatic disorders?
Actually it is not difficult to maintain the function of the pancreas. Make sure you live a healthy lifestyle, stop smoking, and limit consumption of alcoholic beverages. In addition, to avoid pancreatic cancer, you should also maintain an ideal body weight and diligent exercise.
However, if you have already experienced a breakdown in pancreatic function, you can overcome it by doing treatment that is tailored to the disorder experienced. Here's the full explanation.
- Insulin injections. Insulin injections are usually given to people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who cannot be treated with drinking drugs. The point is to control blood sugar levels.
- Giving enzymes. Giving pancreatic enzymes is given if you are experiencing cystic fibrosis. Giving enzymes is usually done through enzyme supplements.
- Drainage. Drainage is done in patients with pseudocysts by inserting needles and hoses into the pseudocyst through the skin, and the hose is connected to the abdominal or intestinal cavity. This is to remove or dry the cyst.
- Resection of pancreatic cancer. This operation is done by removing the gallbladder, part of the head of the pancreas, and the base of the small intestine.
- Pseudocyst surgery. Pseudocyst surgery techniques include laparotomy or laparoscopy. Laparotomy is an incision that extends in the stomach. Laparoscopy is surgery through several small incisions.
- Pancreatic transplant. This transplant is done in people who have cystic fibrosis and diabetes by using a pancreas instead of a donor.
