The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach and close to the duodenum; the first part of the small intestine. The pancreas secretes digestive juices, or enzymes, into the duodenum through a tube called the pancreatic duct. Pancreatic enzymes join with bile (the liquid produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder) to digest food. The pancreas also releases the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. These hormones help the body regulate the glucose it takes from food for energy.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas and may be caused by gallstones blocking the pancreatic duct outlet, trauma, chronic alcohol use, medications, tumours, infections and genetic abnormalities.
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer infects the cells of the duct and spreads into the body of the pancreas. Blood vessels and nerves which are near to the pancreas may also become involved in the spread of the cancerous cells. Risk factors include cigarette smoking, chronic pancreatitis and advanced age (over 65 years old). If left untreated, pancreatic cancer can spread to all the abdominal organs as well as other parts of the body. For natural remedies see>> Cancer
Pancreatic exhaustion and failure
Unhealthy diets have a lot to do with pancreatic problems. Eating too many sugars such as sweets, biscuits, cookies, cakes, pastas and even breads, can cause an overload of sugar in the body. As the body breaks down these sugars it does it in such a rapid pace that it creates blood sugar imbalances that can lead to conditions such as diabetes. This rapid rise and fall process of high to low blood sugar levels due to diabetes, leads to the deterioration of the pancreas and eventually pancreatic exhaustion, which can be prevented by eating a proper diet.
Diabetes
Diabetes occurs either when the pancreas stops producing insulin or the body is unable to use the insulin it produces. Both result in glucose, the body’s fuel, not being absorbed by the cells and building up in the bloodstream. Insulin is needed to be present and working for this absorption into the cells to occur. See>> Diabetes
NOTE: The natural remedies for liver and gall bladder disorders work for the pancreas too see>> Liver disorders
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