Pancreatitis Disease: What Is It?

Pancreatitis disease is basically an inflammation of the pancreas.  It comes in two types, chronic and acute.  Chronic pancreatitis disease is less painful but is a long lasting inflammation.  Acute pancreatitis is a rapid onset and extremely painful version.

The pancreas is a gland organ that is located inside the abdomen. It is an important part of the digestive system that produces a variety of important enzymes and hormones that help to break down the foods that we eat.  The pancreas is considered to have an endocrine function because it releases the juices that it makes directly into the bloodstream but it also has an exocrine function because it releases juices into ducts.

The enzymes, or digestive juices that are produced by the pancreas are then secreted into the small intestine that helps to further break down food once it has left the stomach. The gland also produces insulin which it secretes directly into the bloodstream in order to regulate the body’s glucose or sugar level.

A healthy pancreas can produce the right enzymes and insulins at the right times and in the right quantities needed to properly digest the different foods that we eat.  After food enters the duodenum or upper intestines, the tissues produce a clear, watery, alkaline juice made up of several enzymes that then break down food into small molecules which can be absorbed by the intestines. The enzymes that are made are:

• Trypsin and chymotrypsin which digest proteins.
• Amylase that breaks down carbohydrates.
• Lipase, which is used to break down fats into fatty acids and cholesterol.

The endocrine part of the pancreas, is made up of several cells that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.  Insulin is a hormone secreted by pancreatic cells responding to an increase in in the amount of sugar in the blood.  This same hormone also moves the glucose from the blood and into our muscles and other tissues so the glucose can be used for energy.

The insulin also helps the liver absorb the glucose which it stores as glycogen in case the body suddenly needs energy during times of stress and exercise.

Pancreatitis Disease

When the pancreas becomes injured it can impede these functions and cause further problems.  Living with any type of pancreatitis disease can be painful and stop us from living a full life.  But in many cases, a change in lifestyle and diet can help tremendously.

Make sure that you get the information that you need about pancreatitis disease to understand this condition and what your options are to treat it.