7 Symptoms of problems in the pancreas (and major diseases)

The pancreas is a small gland that is located behind the stomach and is responsible for the production of some important hormones and enzymes, which participate in the digestive process. For this reason, the pancreas is essential for the proper functioning of the body.

However, due to some situations, such as unhealthy lifestyle habits or obstruction of the bile ducts, for example, this organ can undergo changes in its functioning, resulting in diseases that can have serious consequences for the person if it is not identified and treated quickly..

Understand more about the functioning of the pancreas and its functions.

Symptoms of problems in the pancreas

The main signs and symptoms that can cause a person to suspect a problem in the pancreas include:

1. Constant pain in the abdomen; Yellow skin and eyes; Dark urine; Feeling of poor digestion after meals; Frequent back pain, which is not related to posture; Constant feeling of a swollen belly; Frequent nausea and vomiting.

Although these symptoms are common in people with some type of problem in the pancreas, they can also arise due to changes in the liver or gallbladder, for example, and therefore, should be evaluated by a gastroenterologist or hepatologist.

The most common type of problem in the pancreas is pancreatitis, so these symptoms are not enough to make a diagnosis of cancer. Therefore, if there is a suspicion of cancer or if there are already other cases of pancreatic cancer in the family, it is very important to consult a gastroenterologist.

Some tests that can be used to identify the type of problem in the pancreas include abdominal ultrasound, computed tomography and some blood tests.

Main diseases of the pancreas

The main diseases that are related to the pancreas include:

1. Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis corresponds to inflammation of the pancreas that can happen due to excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, obstruction of the bile ducts or cystic fibrosis, for example, which causes the digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas to be activated before reaching the intestine, causing inflammation in the organ.

According to the severity and evolution of inflammation, pancreatitis can be classified into:

• Acute pancreatitis, whose symptoms appear suddenly but which can be easily controlled when treatment is started quickly and followed according to the doctor's guidance; Chronic pancreatitis, whose symptoms appear over the years and may be the result of constant consumption of alcoholic beverages or the evolution of acute pancreatitis.

Main symptoms: Inflammation in the pancreas can be perceived through some symptoms, such as pain in the upper abdomen and may radiate to the back, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, swelling, weight loss without apparent cause, fever and presence yellowish and fatty stools. Know other symptoms of pancreatitis.

How to treat: Treatment should be done according to the doctor's recommendation and depends on the severity of the symptoms. In the case of acute pancreatitis, it is important that treatment be started as soon as possible to prevent progression to chronic pancreatitis, for example.

Usually the treatment is done in a hospital environment, so that the person is constantly monitored, with diet control, hydration and use of analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications, such as Dipyrone and Ibuprofen, for example. If there is a risk of infection, the doctor may recommend the use of antibiotics. Understand more about treatment for pancreatitis.

In the case of chronic pancreatitis, treatment is done with the aim of avoiding complications, with the supplementation of pancreatic enzymes being normally indicated by the doctor, as well as the use of analgesic medications, such as Dipyrone or Paracetamol. Check out some tips on pancreatitis in this video:

2. Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a type of tumor that has a high chance of metastasis and that seriously compromises the person's life, as it is usually only identified in more advanced stages. This type of cancer is more common in people between 60 and 70 years old, but it can also happen in people with a family history, who have had pancreatitis, who constantly consume alcoholic beverages, smoke and consume very fatty foods.

Main symptoms: Pancreatic cancer symptoms usually appear when the disease is already more advanced, dark urine, whitish or fatty stools can be noticed, yellowish skin and eyes, abdominal pain, lack of appetite, weight loss, frequent nausea and vomiting.

If the present symptoms do not disappear within 1 week, it is important to go to the general practitioner or gastroenterologist so that tests can be done that can conclude the diagnosis for pancreatic cancer and, thus, start treatment immediately.

How to treat: Treatment for pancreatic cancer aims to prevent metastasis and improve the person's quality of life, since there is no cure. The treatment established by the doctor is usually surgery followed by chemo and radiotherapy. In addition, it is important that the person adopts healthier lifestyle habits and is accompanied by the doctor on a regular basis. Find out more about treatment for pancreatic cancer.

3. Pancreatic insufficiency

Pancreatic insufficiency is characterized by an almost complete reduction in the production of enzymes by the pancreas, which may be due to chronic alcoholism, smoking, genetic diseases and surgery, for example.

Main symptoms: The symptoms of pancreatic insufficiency usually appear in more advanced stages of the disease, when the concentration of enzymes is already much lower. The main symptoms are poor digestion, abdominal pain, presence of fat in the stool, weight loss and diarrhea. In addition, there may be anemia and malnutrition due to loss of nutrients and changes in the digestion process due to a lack of enzymes.

How to treat: The treatment of pancreatic insufficiency is done mainly with enzyme replacement, thus helping the body to absorb nutrients and avoid malnutrition and anemia. In addition, the use of vitamin and mineral supplements, as well as pain relieving medications, may be recommended.

4. Diabetes

Diabetes is characterized by an increase in the concentration of glucose in the blood due to dysfunction in the pancreas, which fails to produce ideal amounts of insulin, which is the hormone responsible for the decrease in glucose levels.

Main symptoms: Diabetes can be identified through increased desire to go to the bathroom, increased thirst and hunger, weight loss for no apparent reason, too much sleep and tiredness, sudden change of mood and greater chance of acquiring infections.

How to treat it: The treatment for diabetes is done mainly with the control of food, physical activity and the endocrinologist can recommend the use of some drugs that can decrease the concentration of sugar in the blood, such as Metformin and insulin, for example, and, thus, control the symptoms of diabetes and improve the quality of life.

How to avoid pancreatic problems

Pancreatic diseases can be prevented through healthy habits, such as avoiding alcohol consumption and smoking, practicing physical activities on a regular basis and having a healthy and balanced diet. In addition, it is important to keep urine and blood glucose levels well regulated, as well as to keep blood pressure well controlled.

If any change in the body or any symptom that may represent a problem in the pancreas is perceived, it is important to go to the doctor to make the diagnosis and start treatment.