pancreas diseases : Common conditions of the pancreas

Diabetes Mellitus
A lack of sufficient insulin is the cause of many cases of diabetes. Insulin is needed to help glucose -- a major source of energy -- enter the body’s cells. It is not known why insulin-producing cells in the pancreas die off. When they stop functioning, glucose accumulates in the blood and eventually spills into the urine. People with this condition require daily injections of insulin. Over time, high levels of glucose in the blood result in significant changes in blood vessels in the eyes, kidneys, heart, legs and nerves. Damage to these vital organs represents the major risk to people with diabetes mellitus.

People who develop diabetes later in life seem to have sufficient insulin in the pancreas, but for an unknown reason, the insulin is not available for the body’s use. These people are typically overweight and so losing weight is critical for them. Oral medications can be taken that help release insulin from the pancreas. It is crucial for people with diabetes to maintain normal or near-normal levels of glucose in their blood to prevent or delay complications of diabetes.

Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in the United States and around the world. The disease, which cuts across all racial and socio-economic lines, is difficult to treat. It is estimated that 25,000 people die from the disease each year. The disease primarily occurs in middle-aged or older adults. The first symptom is often dull pain in the upper abdomen that may radiate into the back. Sometimes, skin jaundice occurs when the bile duct that carries yellow bile from the liver and through the pancreas is blocked. The only effective treatment for pancreatic cancer is surgery.

Acute Pancreatitis
This condition occurs when the pancreas becomes severely inflamed very quickly. The major causes are heavy alcohol ingestion (binge alcohol drinking); gallstones or gallbladder disease (especially when a gallstone becomes lodged in the main bile duct next to the pancreas); trauma; drugs; high blood fats or heredity. Sometimes the cause of pancreatitis is unknown.

Chronic Pancreatitis
This condition mainly occurs in alcoholics or people who binge drink alcohol on a regular basis.

Pancreas Enzyme Insufficiency
Digestive enzymes from the pancreas are necessary to break down protein, fat and carbohydrates in foods that we eat. When there’s too little of these enzymes, nutrients are not broken down and malnutrition and weight loss result. Major symptoms are diarrhea and weight loss. Pancreatic enzymes can be taken by mouth to replace those that are no longer produced by the pancreas.

Pancreatic Tumors
The pancreas can develop tumors. Many of these are benign and are not a problem. Some benign tumors can secrete high levels of hormones that can have a harmful effect. This can happen if insulin is secreted in large amounts resulting in very low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). Gastrin is another hormone that can stimulate the stomach to secrete its strong hydrochloric acid resulting in recurrent stomach ulcers. Fortunately, there are effective treatment options for these tumors.

©2006 Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Philadelphia, PA, member of Jefferson Health System.