Page contents
- What is pancreatic insufficiency?
- symptoms
- Causes and risk factors
- Multiples
- Diagnosis
- treatment
- protection
The pancreas is a thin gland located in the deep abdominal cavity, located near the stomach and below the liver. It consists of a head, a body, and a tail, and the upper part of its head is connected to the beginning of the small intestine.
The pancreas normally secretes the enzymes needed for digestion, and it also produces some of the body's major hormones.
Pancreatic insufficiency is a state of pancreatic insufficiency that occurs due to damage or deficiency of pancreatic tissue, and if this occurs, the pancreas is unable to secrete or transfer the enzymes responsible for digesting food and breaking it down in the intestine.
Types of pancreatic cells and their functions
There are two main types of pancreas and they are as follows:
1. Exocrine pancreas
These cells manufacture and send digestive enzymes to digest various food components, such as: fats, carbohydrates, and proteins in the small intestine. In most types, these enzymes are ineffective until they reach the small intestine and there they are activated.
It also secretes bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acidity and activate pancreatic enzymes.
2. Endocrine cells in the pancreas
This type of cell produces the hormones insulin and glucagon, which are responsible for regulating sugar in the body.
Symptoms of pancreatic insufficiency
If up to 90% of pancreatic tissue is damaged, it generally does not lead to clinical symptoms. If the disease progresses, the following symptoms may appear:
- Abdominal pain: which is often related to the main factor and not to a deficiency in the work of the pancreas.
- Secretion of digestive juices: As the disease progresses, signs of pancreatic weakness appear in the performance of tasks in the form of external secretions, which is reflected in the disturbance of absorption of nutrients.
- Steatorrhea: This is caused by a lack of absorption of fats.
- Loss of weight and deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins: due to lack of absorption of fats.
- Lack of absorption of proteins and carbohydrates: which contributes to weight loss and the appearance of signs of malnutrition, such as: general weakness, muscle atrophy, and osteoporosis.
- Diabetes: As the damage progresses, the work of internal secretions is also affected, such as: the secretion of hormones, especially insulin, which causes diabetes.
Causes and risk factors for pancreatic insufficiency
Among the main causes and factors that increase the chances of developing pancreatic insufficiency are the following:
- Chronic pancreatitis
Usually, the first and common cause of pancreatic insufficiency is chronic inflammation of the pancreas, as the continuation of pancreatitis causes damage to the cells responsible for secreting digestive enzymes, which stimulates digestion, and eventually causes pancreatic insufficiency.
- Acute pancreatitis
Pancreatitis usually does not cause short-term damage to the cells, but if left untreated, it may develop into chronic inflammation, causing pancreatic insufficiency.
- Autoimmune pancreatitis
If the immune system attacks the pancreas, inflammation may occur in it, causing pancreatic insufficiency.
- Diabetes
Most diabetics face the problem of pancreatic insufficiency. In fact, scientists do not know what is the reason behind this? But it is believed to be caused by a hormonal imbalance caused by diabetes.
- pancreatic surgery
Pancreatic insufficiency is a common side effect of pancreatectomy, accounting for 80% of cases resulting from pancreatectomy.
- genetic diseases
Among the most prominent genetic genetic diseases: Cystic Fibrosis, which causes mucus to form on a large number of organs, such as: the lung and the digestive system, and leads to pancreatic insufficiency.
Also, Schwachman Diamond syndrome is a rare syndrome that affects the patient's bones and pancreas and causes pancreatic insufficiency from a young age.
- Celiac disease
It is a disease in which the patient suffers from an inability to absorb gluten.
Although some people follow a diet and stay away from gluten, some of them still suffer from diarrhea, and it is believed that the reason is the presence of pancreatic insufficiency, along with celiac disease.
- Pancreas cancer
Pancreatic insufficiency is one of the side effects of pancreatic cancer.
- inflammatory bowel disease
Most notably, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Complications of pancreatic insufficiency
The most common complications of pancreatic insufficiency are:
- Osteoporosis caused by poor nutrition.
- Anemia caused by malnutrition.
- Having diabetes.
Diagnosis of pancreatic insufficiency
The disease is diagnosed by the following:
1. Physical examination
The doctor asks the disease to describe its condition, the aches that afflict it, its location in the beginning, and the most important symptoms. He also asks the doctor about the smell of stool.
2. Stool examination
The patient is asked to perform a stool examination for three consecutive days to determine the amount of fat present in the stool.
Usually different packages are used to collect the stool in this case.
3. Imaging examinations
Among the most important imaging tests are the following:
- X-ray imaging.
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan.
- Ultrasound imaging.
Calcification usually appears within the pancreas with the disappearance of healthy pancreatic tissue, or the presence of inflammation in it.
Sometimes it is difficult to show signs of pancreatic damage in routine imaging tests, so there is a need to use advanced imaging tests, or internal examinations, such as:
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).
- Endoscopy of the gallbladder and pancreatic ducts (ERCP).
pancreatic insufficiency treatment
Treatment of pancreatic insufficiency includes several stages:
1. Treatment of the primary disease causing damage
This is done through:
- Treatment of pancreatitis mainly if present.
- Quit drinking alcohol.
- Anti-pain treatment with pain relievers.
2. Treatment of Absorption Disorder
Oral administration of pancreatic enzymes. Today, many drugs are available that contain the majority of pancreatic enzymes necessary for digestion and absorption, such as: Pancrease.
These medications are taken with meals, allowing the proper absorption of most nutrients in an almost normal manner.
The lack of absorption can be alleviated by the administration of fats with short fatty acids and the addition of vitamins.
3. Treatment of complications of the disease
Malnutrition is treated by giving the patient the necessary vitamins and elements, such as:
- Vitamin A.
- Vitamin K.
- Vitamin D.
- Vitamin E
- vitamin C.
- zinc;
- Calcium.
As for the treatment of diabetes, it is done in the usual ways through following the diet, and taking medication to treat high blood sugar, which may be oral, or through insulin.
Prevention of pancreatic insufficiency
In a number of cases resulting from some genetic diseases, such as: cystic fibrosis, or those diseases that are incurable, such as: diabetes, or pancreatic cancer, it is not possible to prevent pancreatic insufficiency.
But in some cases, we may find ways to prevent infection, such as:
- Cut back on alcohol.
- Quit Smoking.
- Reduce the intake of fatty foods.
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