pancreaseissues

Pancreas issues refer to disorders affecting the pancreas, a gland with exocrine functions (digestive enzymes) and endocrine roles (hormones such as insulin). Problems can impair digestion, glucose regulation, or both.

Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation, most often due to gallstones or alcohol. Symptoms include upper abdominal pain that often radiates to the back, nausea, and vomiting. It is diagnosed by symptoms, elevated pancreatic enzymes in blood tests, and imaging. Most cases improve with fluids, pain control, and treating the underlying cause; severe cases may require intensive care.

Chronic pancreatitis is long-term inflammation that can cause persistent pain, malabsorption, weight loss, and eventual diabetes.

Pancreatic cancer, typically ductal adenocarcinoma, has risk factors such as age, smoking, and obesity. Early symptoms are vague; jaundice, weight loss, abdominal or back pain may occur. Diagnosis relies on imaging and biopsy; treatment depends on stage and may include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

Other conditions include pancreatic cysts and pseudocysts, autoimmune pancreatitis, and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency from loss of pancreatic tissue. Exocrine insufficiency causes malabsorption and may be treated with pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy; some pancreatic diseases can cause a form of diabetes known as type 3c diabetes.

Diagnosis generally combines history, physical exam, lab tests (amylase, lipase, glucose, nutritional markers), and imaging (ultrasound, CT, MRI, MRCP). Prevention focuses on modifiable risk factors like abstaining from alcohol, not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing triglycerides. Prognosis varies widely by condition; pancreatitis resolves with proper care, while pancreatic cancer often has a poorer outcome if detected late.