Pancreatic Function and Handling Pancreatic Disorders

The pancreas is one of the organs in the human digestive system. In general, the function of the pancreas in the body is to produce hormones and enzymes to destroy food in the stomach. The following is an explanation of further pancreatic function and disorders that can arise if the pancreas is damaged, as well as how to maintain pancreatic health.

Understanding Pancreatic Function

The pancreas is behind the abdominal cavity with a length of 18-25 cm and has an elongated shape, resembling a fish. The function of the pancreas is divided into two, namely exocrine and endocrine functions. The following explanation:

• Exocrine function

Exocrine glands are glands that secrete products through a channel, leading to the surface of the body or other tissues in the body. Examples are the salivary glands, sweat glands, and digestive glands. As an exocrine gland, the pancreas produces digestive enzymes that are passed into the digestive tract. These enzymes have their respective functions. For example, lipase enzymes to break down fat, kemotripsin and trypsin to digest protein, and amylase to break down carbohydrates.

• Endocrine function

While the endocrine glands are glands that channel their products into the bloodstream. The function of the endocrine glands in the pancreas is secreting hormones, namely the insulin hormone and glucagon hormone. Both of these hormones play a role in regulating glucose or sugar levels in the blood. The hormone insulin will bind glucose from the blood to be carried to various tissues in the body, so that it can be used as energy. The hormone insulin is also important for the liver, because it helps the liver absorb glucose and store it as glycogen. Glycogen is useful as an energy reserve when the body needs extra energy. When glucose in the blood is too low, the glucagon hormone which will break down glycogen in the liver into glucose.

What happens if the pancreas is damaged?

A healthy pancreas will produce enzymes and hormones in the right amount and time when we eat. However, pancreas that has a disorder can not produce digestive enzymes optimally, so that absorption of food is also disrupted Disorders of the pancreas can also cause several dangerous diseases. The following are some types of disorders or damage to the pancreas, including:

• Type 1 and type 2 diabetes

In type 2 diabetes, the body does not use insulin as it should (be resistant) and blood sugar rises. The pancreas also loses the ability to produce and release insulin according to the body's needs. Whereas in type 1 diabetes, the immune system actually attacks the cells of the pancreas that produce insulin, so that in people with type 1 diabetes needed insulin injections for life.

• Pancreatitis

The main cause of this disease is still unknown, but gallstone problems and the habit of consuming alcoholic beverages can be one of the triggers. In pancreatitis, the pancreas becomes inflamed and damaged, due to digestive substances that it produces itself. Pancreatitis can cause tissue death in the pancreas.

• Cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis or cystic fibrosis is caused by genetic disorders that cause abnormalities in the pancreas and lungs. This condition can cause diabetes or digestive problems.

• Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer can be said to be a disease that is secretly deadly, because the initial symptoms are few and even invisible. In the pancreas there are several types of cells with different types, and each has the potential to become malignant. What most often develops into cancer are cells found in the pancreatic ducts.

• Pancreatic pseudocyst

A fluid-filled cavity called a pseudocyst can form after an attack of pancreatitis. This condition can be overcome by performing drainage surgery, but in some patients it can heal on its own.

In addition to some of the above diseases, other disorders or damage to the pancreas are pancreatic islet cell tumors in which the production of hormones increases sharply, as well as enlargement of the pancreas, both with normal function so that no treatment is needed, or due to a disease that requires treatment.

How to deal with pancreatic disorders?

To avoid some of the diseases above, you need to maintain pancreatic health. A simple way that can be done is to change the lifestyle that is lived. This can be done by eating healthy foods with balanced nutrition, exercising regularly, and maintaining an ideal body weight. In addition, avoid smoking and consume less alcoholic beverages, or even stop altogether. Excessive smoking and drinking of alcoholic beverages can damage the function and health of the pancreas. However, if you have already experienced a disruption in pancreatic function, you can take medication according to the disorder you are experiencing, including:

• Insulin injection

This insulin injection is usually given to people with type 1 diabetes, or to type 2 diabetes who can no longer be treated with oral medication. The point is to reduce blood sugar levels.

• Giving enzymes

Giving pancreatic enzymes is given to those who have cystic fibrosis. Giving enzymes is usually done through enzyme supplements.

• Drainage

This drainage is performed on pseudocyst patients by inserting a needle and tube into the pseudocyst through the skin, then the tube is connected to the abdominal or intestinal cavity. This is to remove or dry the cyst.

• Resection of pancreatic cancer

This operation is done by removing the gallbladder, part of the head of the pancreas, and the base of the small intestine.

• Pseudocyst surgery

Pseudocyst surgery can be performed with laparotomy or laparoscopic techniques. Laparotomy is a surgery with a long vertical incision in the abdomen. Laparoscopy is surgery through several small incisions, using a device in the form of binoculars with a camera. Both of these surgical techniques are used to remove a pseudocyst.

• Islet cell transplantation

This transplant is still under research and is done to cure type 1 diabetes. The transplant is done by removing the patient's islet cells and replaced with pancreatic islet cells from the donor.

• Pancreas transplant

This transplantation is carried out in patients with cystic fibrosis and diabetes, using a replacement pancreas from the donor.

Start getting used to living a healthy lifestyle by stopping smoking and reducing the consumption of alcoholic beverages. In addition, you are advised to avoid unhealthy eating patterns that can cause obesity. To find out the health of the pancreas and get treatment for the disorders that occur, consult a doctor thoroughly.