How do you know if your pancreas is in bad shape? The symptoms are unusual

A sick pancreas does not give any symptoms for a long time, and when they appear, they can be ambiguous and can be easily confused with symptoms of other diseases, especially those related to the digestive system. The most common diseases of the pancreas are inflammation – it can be acute or chronic. In turn, pancreatic cancer is one of the most dangerous cancers. That is why it is worth doing checkups, and any disturbing signals or doubts should be consulted with a doctor.

1. The pancreas supplies the small intestine with enzymes that enable the digestion of food, and also produces the hormones that regulate blood glucose levels – insulin and glucagon
2. Pancreatic diseases may be asymptomatic for a long time. On the other hand, one of the most common symptoms of pancreatic malfunction is abdominal pain, which can be taken as a symptom of other ailments
3. Factors that increase the risk of pancreatic disease include: alcohol, smoking, obesity, unhealthy diets, viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and taking certain medications
4. Check your health. Just answer these questions
5. You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page

The pancreas is ailing – the most serious symptoms

Symptoms of abnormalities in the work of the pancreas may be related to metabolism, gastrointestinal tract, skin, as well as pressure and body temperature. They may be evidence of chronic pancreatitis, acute pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer.

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Below are the most serious symptoms of pancreatic insufficiency:

1. Nausea, gas, diarrhea. When the pancreas is failing, the fats contained in food are not completely digested by our body and are excreted in the faeces. Fat diarrhea can occur several times a day, and the stools have a very unpleasant smell. It may be accompanied by nausea, abdominal pain and excessive gas, pain may also occur during bowel movements.
2. Weight loss. Difficult to explain weight loss may be a symptom of a diseased pancreas. It may be the result of digestive and absorption disorders associated with damage to the pancreas, as well as an increase in caloric demand resulting from inflammation. Weight loss can be a symptom of both acute or chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, and always requires a diagnosis.
3. Itchy skin. It is a symptom resulting from the appearance of protein complexes with bilirubin just under the skin – a kind of introduction to jaundice. In most patients, however, it does not show a change in skin color due to too low a concentration of bile pigment. Pruritus may be of various severity, chronic, lasting more than six weeks, may be the first sign of an ongoing neoplastic process.
4. A blotchy rash on the body. Skin lesions in the form of a macular rash appear mainly on the lateral surfaces of the trunk and around the navel, and are the result of the accumulation of hemorrhagic fluid from the peritoneum in the subcutaneous tissue. In the course of the disease, cyanosis (Walzel’s symptom) may also appear in the area of ​​the abdominal wall and trunk. Purpura is one of the symptoms indicative of acute pancreatitis (acute pancreatitis). The disease most often occurs as a result of alcohol abuse or as a result of gallstone disease.
5. Yellowish skin or whites of the eyes. A symptom of a sick pancreas is also jaundice – yellow discoloration of the skin, whites of the eyes and mucous membranes, caused by too high concentration of bilirubin in the blood serum. Sometimes it can be associated with discoloration of the stools and darkening of the urine, as well as itching of the skin. Jaundice may be the result of a difficult (due to enlarged lymph nodes) drainage of bile from the liver to the intestines or compression of the bile ducts by a tumor. Jaundice is a symptom that occurs in almost 90% of people. pancreatic cancer patients.
6. Wandering erythema. Many benign and malignant pancreatic tumors have the ability to produce and release various hormones that can provoke skin changes. An example is the so-called migratory erythema, which occurs with a glucagonoma tumor (a malignant tumor of the pancreas that produces glucagon). Skin lesions appear first on the extremities (it resembles the erythema accompanying Lyme disease), then around the mouth, in the detrusive area, especially in the perineum and lower abdomen. Eruptions can mimic eczema, contact dermatitis, candidiasis, psoriasis, and purulent staphylococcal dermatitis. Initially, the lesions have the character of erythema of various diameters, and a blister appears in the central part. After breaking the cover, a necrotic focus is formed, covered with a dark necrotic scab, which heals leaving a discoloration. Active changes are accompanied by pain and itching.
7. Subcutaneous tissue necrosis. Painful lumps (cellulitis) occur primarily on the arms, torso, buttocks, thighs and lower legs. In severe cases, painful tumors rupture spontaneously and leave hollow, discolored scars. Subcutaneous tissue necrosis in the course of pancreatitis most often affects patients between 30 and 40 years of age. Clinically, the eruptions are tumors or lumps about 1-5 cm in diameter. Necrotizing lesions are often accompanied by fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain. They can also herald pancreatic cancer.

Prophylactically, it is worth using FOR THE PANCREAM – the Herbapol dietary supplement in Krakow, containing fennel fruit, thyme herb, caraway fruit, mint leaf, dandelion herb, gentian root.

Acute pancreatitis – symptoms

In acute pancreatitis, severe pain comes on suddenly, which means that enzymes begin to digest their own protein and fats. In addition to epigastric pain, fever and jaundice may also appear. He has nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, fast heart rate and low blood pressure. The body becomes dehydrated quickly. Occasionally there is bleeding and infection.

What is evidence of acute pancreatitis?

1. sudden and severe pain in the abdomen (upper abdomen);
2. stomach pain which spreads to the spine;
3. vomiting;
4. nausea;
5. increased abdominal wall tension;
6. increased thirst;
7. accelerated heartbeat;
8. pressure drops;
9. disturbances of consciousness;
10. redness of the face;
11. fever.

To improve the functioning of your pancreas, it is worth drinking the Klimuszko Mystery of a Healthy Pancreas Tincture regularly. You can also try Pancreas, a herbal infusion blend for everyday use.

See also: cutaneous symptoms of a diseased pancreas

Chronic pancreatitis – symptoms

Pancreatitis can turn into a chronic form without acute episodes of the disease. The most characteristic symptom of chronic pancreatitis is – recurrent or constant – abdominal pain, described as stabbing pain, as well as epigastric burning, pressure. Abdominal pain may radiate to your back.

Other symptoms of chronic pancreatitis:

1. pain that increases 15-30 minutes after a meal;
2. flatulence;
3. diarrhea (fatty);
4. vomiting;
5. weight loss;
6. dehydration;
7. pain or discomfort in the middle epigastrium
8. progressive weight loss (associated with reluctance to eat);
9. jaundice;
10. skin symptoms (itchy skin);
11. hyperglycaemia (increased blood glucose levels);
12. glucose tolerance disorders;
13. diabetes – in advanced cases.

Read more:Acute and chronic pancreatitis – symptoms, treatment

Pancreatic cancer – symptoms

Pancreatic cancer is very often asymptomatic for a long time and is very difficult to diagnose. People diagnosed most often present with symptoms that are also typical of acute or chronic pancreatitis. It is primarily pain in the abdomen, often radiating to the back.

– A colleague of the orthopedist complained of back pain after skiing. He used physical therapy and other spine treatment methods. Unfortunately, it turned out that the pain was the result of pancreatic cancer – said Prof. Piotr Wysocki, head of the Oncology Clinic of the Oncology Center in Warsaw.

Nausea, vomiting, weight loss and jaundice are also common symptoms. Lack of appetite, a feeling of fullness after a meal or weakness may also appear.

What else may be evidence of pancreatic cancer:

1. newly diagnosed diabetes;
2. thrombophlebitis;
3. jaundice;
4. discolored stool;
5. dark urine;
6. itching of the skin;
7. symptoms of stomatitis and tongue inflammation;
8. anemia;
9. enlargement of the gallbladder.

Pancreatitis can also be a harbinger of the developing pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic diseases – diagnosis

In the diagnosis of pancreatic diseases, first of all, a physical examination and a detailed medical history are carried out, including symptoms that may indicate pancreatic cancer (weight loss, lymphadenopathy, jaundice, ascites, peripheral edema, coagulation disorders), smoking and cancer history. in the family, then a set of laboratory tests as well as imaging and endoscopy tests are performed.

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Laboratory tests should include serum and urine amylase levels and serum lipase levels. Assessment of the lipid profile, calcium concentration, blood count, CRP protein, liver function markers may also be useful. CA19-9 is a neoplastic marker in pancreatic cancer patients, which is elevated in most patients.

Abdominal ultrasound examination, multi-phase computed tomography of the abdominal cavity performed using the spiral method, and magnetic resonance imaging will be helpful in the diagnosis. A histopathological examination is required to make a definitive cancer diagnosis.

This may interest you:

1. The six things that harm your pancreas the most
2. Why do young people get sick and die of pancreatic cancer?
3. Habits that increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer

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