How to recognize that your pancreas hurts. Doctor explains

MD, lastearst, toitumisnõustaja, UniProf Arstide Akadeemia kaasasutaja

How to understand that the pancreas hurts? What diseases are accompanied by problems with this organ?

In the crazy pace of life, we forget about our health. Very often there is no time to eat properly, and the best option to chew something on the run becomes fast food. It is not surprising that with this type of food begins to hurt the stomach. Unpleasant sensations in the abdominal cavity can speak, among other things, about problems with the pancreas.

On the health of this organ depends on the proper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The gland has three departments (head, body and tail), each of them performs its role in the digestive process. If one of the departments is damaged, there are failures in the work of the entire tract. About how to recognize that it is it that hurts, we will now tell you.

What functions the pancreas performs

Despite the small size of the organ, it has many functions on it. It secretes pancreatic juice, which contains enzymes that break down proteins, fats and carbohydrates for their subsequent absorption in the intestine. Also in the pancreas there are cells that produce hormones involved in metabolic processes.

How to understand that the pancreas hurts

Pain in this organ manifests itself quite specifically. Painful sensations are localized around the navel. With acute pancreatitis, the pain becomes shingles, recoils into the back, it is accompanied by sweating, nausea, vomiting, weakness. It is practically not controlled by antispasmodics, analgesics, slightly weakened if you lean forward in a sitting position. Pain sensations in the pancreas can increase in the position of lying on the back, after eating fatty, fried food.

In the chronic form of pancreatitis there is a constant feeling of distention in the left subcostal region, often there is nausea and bitterness in the mouth, thirst, diarrhea, insomnia. Pain with pancreatitis may increase after eating, there may be a sense of aversion to some products.

Why the pancreas hurts

Painful sensations in the pancreas most often occur with viral hepatitis, pancreatitis, biliary tract pathology, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, tumors. Pain can occur when taking certain drugs (antibiotics, corticosteroids, hormonal drugs). The cause of pain can be errors in diet (overeating, consumption of fatty foods, alcohol).

If you suspect the presence of problems with the pancreas, it is necessary to consult several specialists: therapist, endocrinologist, surgeon, gastroenterologist, nutritionist or nutritionist, oncologist (if there are appropriate findings) for diagnosis and proper treatment.

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