Here is a common question – does Pancreatitis cause Diabetes?
I have both illnesses and have always often wondered whether the reason that I developed Diabetes was because of the Pancreatitis.
It seems logical to ask can Pancreatitis cause Diabetes since it would seem that damaging your Pancreas enough would affects the insulin producing cells that are located there.
To get the answer to – does Pancreatitis cause Diabetes – you have to first understand what the Pancreas does for our bodies.
Contents
The Pancreas is an amazing organ located behind the stomach in the upper abdomen. The head of the Pancreas is located on the right side of the stomach and connects to the duodenum (the first section of the small intestines) via the pancreatic duct.
It’s only about 6″ long but accomplishes two important tasks in your body.
Exocrine Function
First, the exocrine function is where the Pancreas secretes enzymes into the small intestines.
These enzymes help to continue the digesting of food that you eat when it passes out of the stomach and into the small intestines.
When the Pancreas is damaged it can often make less of these enzymes which is why many people who suffer from Pancreatitis complain of a gassy bloated feeling and can have trouble with proper nutrition.
Endocrine Function
The second, the endocrine function, is where the Pancreas produces insulin and glucagon that are then released directly into your bloodstream as they are needed.
Once in the bloodstream these two hormones are an important part of the process that your body uses to regulate its blood sugars.
When the Pancreas gets damaged enough it can make it harder for it to produce those hormones and cause problems that can lead to Diabetes.
Diabetes is a disease that makes it hard for your body to use the sugars that are in your blood from the foods that you eat.
There are more than 380 Million people around the world that suffer from this long term condition.
Symptoms of Diabetes
The most common symptoms of Diabetes include frequent urination, weight gain or loss, intense thirst or hunger, cuts and bruises that won’t heal, male sexual dysfunction and a sense of numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.
There are three basic types of diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes – In Type 1 Diabetes the body doesn’t produce any insulin at all. For someone suffering from Pancreatitis this can happen when the Pancreas is extremely damaged or when it has been removed. About 10% of the reported cases of Diabetes are Type 1.
People that develop Type 1 Diabetes will likely need to take injections of insulin the rest of their lives and must monitor their blood glucose levels closely with regular blood tests.
Although most people who have Type 1 Diabetes have it from their early years, it can also develop when the Pancreas is damaged or as the result of a disease like Pancreatitis.
Type 2 Diabetes – With Type 2 Diabetes the Pancreas is still producing some insulin but not enough for the body to function normally. Around 90% of the cases of Diabetes are Type 2 and require medications or insulin shots.
Some people are able to control the symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes with diet, exercise, and meds alone. Others may need to rely on regular injections of insulin.
Gestational Diabetes – This type can affect women during pregnancy and end once the baby is delivered so it’s really not involved in the whether or not pancreatitis cause diabetes question.
I don’t think that there can be little or no doubt that Pancreatitis can cause Diabetes.
As Pancreatitis damages the Pancreas it makes it harder and harder for it to perform it’s functions. And unchecked Diabetes can put extra strain on an already damaged Pancreas leading to further Pancreatic Attacks.
So it’s important that you and your Doctor watch for the possible signs of Diabetes as you deal with Pancreatitis.
Your Doctor, Pancreatitis and Diabetes
When I have a flare up of Pancreatitis, the inflammation always spikes my blood sugars which stresses the Pancreas even more as it tries to handle to higher number of sugars in my blood.
And if I get lax on monitoring my blood sugars and let them get too high it can cause a flare up.
So it’s important that you talk to your Doctor about this problem and make sure that you are being treated properly for Diabetes, if you have it.
Will Type 2 Diabetes Always Turn Into Type 1
Many people who battle Pancreatitis start as Type 2 Diabetics and then eventually become Type 1 if their Pancreatitis continues to worsen.
But just like any other disease, how, and if, you are going to get Diabetes from Pancreatitis is an individual thing that will depend upon a lot of different factors, some that might be under your control and others that won’t.
If you are careful and watch your diet you may never develop Diabetes from your Pancreatitis or you may be able to control it with meds.
But even if your Pancreatitis damages your Pancreas to the extent that you become a Type 1 Diabetic there are still options.
Pancreatic Islet Surgery is becoming more common and can place the islets that produce your insulin in your liver.
There is also research that is being done to use stem cells to repair your Pancreas.
Control Your Risks
One thing that both Diabetes and Pancreatitis have in common is the negative effects that alcohol and smoking cigarettes can have on the disease.
So while it is a personal decision for you to make – for me both those are out of my life – not that I ever smoked or drank to excess.
It’s also important that if you should develop Diabetes that you make sure that you treat it. Putting extra stress on your body by ignoring diet and exercise will only make things worse for both disease’s.
Conclusion
The question of can Pancreatitis cause Diabetes is not one that any of us really wants to face. But by making sure that we keep informed and treat our Diabetes properly if we get it can help our quality of life a lot.
Pancreatitis alone is something that is extremely tough to handle – so – if you can – avoid complicating it with Diabetes.
Or, if you get Diabetes, make sure that you treat it correctly!
View Comments
I have chronic pancreatitis i have had this condition for 16years I was told i have type 3 diabetes due to me having part of my pancras removed .I am on insulin and metaform tablets and take creon before I eat a meal I would be interested in your comments about my condition
I'm sorry to hear about your problems. I have type 2 diabetes because of my chronic pancreatitis and have had to take insulin for years so I understand how frustrating it all can be. I can only say keep looking after yourself and try to keep a positive attitude.