human pancreas

The pancreas is an organ of the human digestive system that has exocrine and intrasecretory functions (releasing pancreatic juice into the intestines and hormones into the blood).

What is important to know about the human pancreas

Where is the human pancreas located?

The pancreas is located in the abdomen in the upper abdomen (epigastrium) behind the stomach. Regarding the spine – at the level of 1-2 lumbar vertebrae.

The gland borders on the inferior vena cava, left renal vein, aorta, transverse colon, left kidney, spleen.

What does the human pancreas look like and how does it work?

The pancreas consists of three sections:

1. The head is the widest part of the organ, deviated downward. A duct departs from it, through which pancreatic juice enters the duodenum 12.
2. The body is located across and slightly to the left of the spine.
3. The tail is the narrowest and longest part of the organ.

The pancreas is a gland of mixed secretion, that is, its main task:

1. Produce pancreatic juice, which contains digestive enzymes that break down proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the duodenum.
2. produce hormones into the blood, which regulate protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism.

Why can the pancreas hurt in humans

There are several diseases of the pancreas that are accompanied by pain. Often this is due to a violation of the production of enzymes that break down proteins, fats and carbohydrates. With pathology of the endocrine function (diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and others), pain is not observed, since changes occur at the hormonal level.

pancreatitis

This term is understood as a group of diseases and syndromes, which are characterized by inflammation of the pancreas. There are acute and chronic pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis characterized by:

• acute pain (also called pancreatic colic) in the upper abdomen, which is often shingles. A distinctive feature is the increase in pain after eating, but breathing and coughing do not affect it.
• nausea and vomitingthat brings no relief. In the vomit, recently eaten food is first visible, and then mucus and bile. Even a sip of water can provoke vomiting.
• increased irritability, tearfulness, tremor of the upper extremities;
• increased body temperature;
• changes in the skin: increased humidity, pallor, jaundice.

The cause of this condition may be a disease of the biliary tract, excessive alcohol consumption. These factors are the cause of the disease in 80% of cases.

Chronic pancreatitis develops when the organ itself is damaged (autoimmune, toxic damage) or due to disturbances in the work of other organs and systems (often the organs of the gastrointestinal tract). In 70% of cases, the cause is excessive alcohol consumption. An equally important factor is genetic predisposition.

There are three periods of chronic pancreatitis:

1. Primary – up to 10 years. It alternates between periods of exacerbation and remission. The main symptom during an exacerbation is pain of varying intensity, nausea, sometimes vomiting, flatulence, diarrhea.
2. The second period (more than 10 years), it is characterized by disturbances in the work of both the stomach and intestines. Manifested by pain (usually dull, aching) in the upper abdomen and navel, constipation, heaviness in the stomach.
3. Complicated option – can occur at any stage. It changes the intensity of pain, its nature and duration.

Pancreatic necrosis

Pancreatic necrosis is a form of pancreatitis in which many pancreatic cells die at the same time.

There are several types of this disease:

• unspecified;
• aseptic – the cause is often a blunt abdominal trauma;
• fatty (enzymatic) – can be observed in acute pancreatitis, when enzymes affect surrounding tissues.

Symptoms of pancreatic necrosis are almost the same as those of acute pancreatitis:

• pain;
• nausea or vomiting
• pain on palpation;
• the appearance of jaundice;
• flatulence;
• hyperglycemia.

pancreatic stones

A fairly rare disease, the cause of which is still unknown. It is assumed that the matter is in violation of metabolic processes, which lead to an increased content of calcium in the pancreatic juice and, as a result, the formation of stones. With an absolutely healthy gland, such processes are not observed. There are predisposing factors:

• chronic pancreatitis;
• bad nutrition.

Most often, even in the presence of large stones, the disease is asymptomatic. However, there are such manifestations:

• cutting pain like colic in the upper abdomen;
• increased body temperature;
• vomiting or nausea;
• increased salivation.

Pancreas cancer

Pancreatic cancer ranks 6th among other cancers. In 50% of cases, the tumor affects the head of the gland. The disease has four stages of development, and is most often detected already when chemotherapy and surgery are not possible.

The main symptoms are:

• Pain – occurs in 70% of cases and is associated with the germination of the tumor in neighboring tissues and organs. Often the condition worsens in the evening and after drinking alcohol or fatty foods. When the tumor grows into the spine, pain is observed in the supine position.
• Jaundice is a fairly common symptom and is also observed in 70% of patients. Staining of the skin and mucous membranes in yellow is associated with compression of the common bile duct, which disrupts the normal outflow of bile.
• Itchy skin – appears after jaundice and is associated with an excessive concentration of bile acids in the blood.
• Unreasonable weight loss – is the cause of intoxication, blockage of the ducts.
• Decreased appetite is present all the time. Perhaps aversion to fatty or smoked foods.
• Increased body temperature, constipation.

How is the human pancreas treated?

diet therapy

The basic principles of the diet during an exacerbation of pancreatic diseases:

• the first couple of days of hunger;
• 1-1,5 liters of liquid (water, weak tea, rosehip broth) in the absence of a gag reflex;
• intake of thermally processed food 5-6 times a day (steamed, stewed, boiled) with an animal protein content of about 30%;
• products should be as gentle as possible (nothing hard, hot, spicy).

Principles of diet during remission:

• in the diet, the amount of protein of animal origin should be 60%;
• reduced amount of fats and their complete exclusion from the diet in its pure form;
• easily digestible carbohydrates – about 350 grams per day;
• restriction in the use of table salt;
• the energy value of the diet should be at least 2500 kcal per day;
• Avoid sudden dietary changes.

Analgesics and antispasmodics

This group of drugs includes baralgin, analgin, paracetamol, no-shpa and others. Their main task is to relieve a pain attack and expand the ducts, which helps pancreatic juice to enter the duodenum. They are used only during an exacerbation of the disease. It is important not to use NSAIDs often enough, as there is an additional load on the liver.

H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)

They are prescribed to reduce the secretion of the stomach and pancreas. PPIs also reduce the toxic effects of the immune system’s own cells on pancreatic cells, which additionally protects the organ.

The most effective drugs in this group: Nolpaza, Nexium, Pariet, Ultop, Omez.

Enzyme Therapy

Particularly relevant in the presence of enzyme deficiency. The additional use of enzyme therapy helps to get rid of diarrhea, flatulence, pain and heaviness in the abdomen. All enzymes are taken with meals 3-4 times a day. The most popular enzyme preparations are Mezim, Creon.

Somatostatin preparations

This method of treatment, according to clinical guidelines, refers to methods with questionable effectiveness. Preparations of this group are prescribed for the prevention of severe and complicated forms of pancreatitis.

Radiation therapy

It is carried out when a malignant tumor is confirmed. It can be both symptomatic and radical and palliative. Depending on the stage of the disease, radiation therapy can be performed alone, or in combination with chemotherapy or subsequent surgery.

Surgical intervention

It is a radical treatment. Most often performed in the case of a malignant neoplasm of the pancreas. The volume of the operation depends on the localization of the process and its prevalence.

How to keep your pancreas healthy at home

10 rules that will keep the pancreas healthy.

1. Do not abuse alcoholic beverages.
2. Use the minimum amount of sugar.
3. Give preference to fresh vegetables and fruits.
4. All products must undergo heat treatment.
5. Dairy products should not be very fatty.
6. Avoid baked goods. It is better to give preference to crackers and products made from wholemeal flour.
7. Strong tea and coffee – dosed.
8. The meat should be lean and cooked using the amount of oil.
9. The energy value of the diet should be approximately equal to daily expenditure (avoid overeating).
10. In case of violation of the diet (fatty food, smoked), use enzyme preparations with meals.

Popular questions and answers

We discussed important issues related to the pancreas with therapist Tatyana Pomerantseva.