The pancreas is one of the most important glands in the human body. It has a dual role in work and function. It acts as an external secretion gland and sometimes acts as an internal secretion gland. This large gland lies behind the stomach near the small intestine where it is connected to it.
Pancreatic function
The pancreas has many important functions in the human body and some of these functions are: –
- Works to modify food acidity:
As the food that reaches the stomach is acidic so the walls of the stomach sends to the brain, which does the following:
- It orders the pancreas to secrete special juices for this purpose.
- The juice works to digest proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
- The secretion of insulin hormones and glucagon:
Where it pump them into the blood stream in the body to facilitate the process of consumption of oxygen stored in the body and burning it, if the work of the pancreas is shortened in the secretion of insulin, the sugar appear in the urine (diabetes).
- Pancreatitis
Occurs when the two hormones released from the pancreas are effective before they reach the stomach, and they attack the tissues of the pancreas and lead to damage this gland, leading to pancreatitis in one of its types.
- Acute pancreatitis:
It develops and evolves in a short period of time. This inflammation can be exacerbated by the accumulation of gallstones in the gallbladder or by drinking alcohol, or by the intake of certain types of drugs and exposure to contaminants.
- Chronic pancreatitis:
Occurs as a result of acute infection and is associated with it, and is caused by excessive drinking of alcohol, or the result of disturbances in the metabolism of the human body.
Causes of pancreatitis
- Drug abuse, excessive drinking of alcohol.
- The disease may occur due to high body fat level.
- Increased thyroid gland secretions.
- Chronic obstruction of the pancreas channel due to accumulation of gallstones in it.
- The excessive intake of some medications may lead to pancreatitis.
Symptoms of pancreatitis
If a person feels any of the following symptoms, he or she should consult a specialist immediately.
- Acute pains in the upper abdominal area are sometimes directed to the back area.
- Abdominal swelling and sensitivity in the abdominal cavity.
- Feeling high body temperature, nausea and vomiting.
This is diagnosed by doctors by performing some medical tests such as the performance of the pancreas, a test of glucose tolerance, the use of ultrasound for pancreatic imaging or CT imaging, and often the endoscopy of pancreatic and gallbladder channels is used to diagnose the disease.
