Symptoms of Pancreas Problems – Overview
Due to the pancreas’ inaccessibility, diagnosing pancreatic illnesses can be challenging. The pancreas can be assessed using a variety of techniques.
Physical examination is one of the initial pancreas exams, which is challenging because the pancreas is located close to the spine in the deepest part of the belly.
Blood tests can be deceiving but are frequently useful in evaluating whether the pancreas is responsible for a certain symptom.
Computed tomography (CAT), endoscopic ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the finest radiographic procedures to assess the pancreas’ structural integrity (magnetic resonance imaging).
ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) and MRCP are tests used to assess the pancreatic ducts (magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography).
In some cases, the surgical examination is the only option to definitively diagnose pancreatic illness.
Common pancreatic problems and associated symptoms
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is pancreatic inflammation. The pancreas is a flat, long gland that is hidden in the upper belly beyond the stomach. The pancreas creates hormones that regulate your blood sugar and enzymes that aid in digestion (glucose).
Acute pancreatitis, which manifests rapidly and lasts for days, is one type of pancreatitis that can happen. Chronic pancreatitis, or pancreatitis that lasts for a long time, can occur in some persons.
Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatitis
Depending on the type you have, your pancreatitis symptoms and signs may change.
Signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis include:
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Pain in the upper abdomen
• Abdominal pain which radiates to the back
• Abdomen feels soft when touched
• Fast heartbeat
• Fever
Signs and symptoms of chronic pancreatitis include:
• Abdominal pain becomes more severe after eating
• Pain in the upper abdomen
• Foul-smelling stools (steatorrhea)
• Dropping weight without trying
Treatment helps with mild episodes of pancreatitis, but consequences from severe cases can be fatal.
Diabetes Mellitus
If your pancreatic beta cells do not produce enough insulin or your body can’t use the insulin your pancreas produces, you can develop diabetes.
Diabetes can cause a reduction in the motor function of the digestive system due to gastroparesis. Diabetes also affects what happens after digestion.
If you don’t have enough insulin and you eat a meal high in carbohydrates, your sugar can go up and cause symptoms like Increased frequency of urination, especially at night, extreme thirst, extreme hunger, blurred vision, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, extreme exhaustion, sores that heal slowly, and more infections than usual.
Over the long years, it can lead to heart and kidney disease among other problems.
Signs and Symptoms of Hyperglycemia.
Blood sugar (glucose) levels exceeding 180 to 200 mg/dL, or 10 to 11.1 mmol/L, or the symptoms of hyperglycemia usually don’t appear until they are high.
Early warning indicators:
Early signs of hyperglycemia can be recognized, making it easier to diagnose and treat. Beware of:
• Often urinating.
• Heightened thirst.
• Distorted vision.
• Feeling flimsy or unusually exhausted.
Additional symptoms and signs:
If hyperglycemia is left untreated, harmful acids known as ketones may accumulate in the blood and urine. Ketoacidosis is the name of this condition.
These signs include:
• Fruity breath scents.
• Mouth ache.
• Continent pain.
• Nausea and diarrhea.
• Breathing difficulty.
• Confusion.
• Consciousness loss
Signs and Symptoms of Hypoglycemia
Everyone can experience a low blood sugar level differently. Even though your symptoms could alter over time, you’ll discover how it makes you feel. Low blood sugar below 70 mg/dL is called hypoglycemia.
Early indications of low blood sugar levels consist of:
• Sweating
• Feeling exhausted
• Dizziness
• Feeling puckish
• Lip tingling
• Feeling unsteady or shaking
• A hammering or rapid heartbeat (palpitations)
• Become easily upset, emotional, nervous, or grumpy
• Becoming pallid.
You could experience additional signs in addition to low blood sugar, such as:
• Weakness.
• Hazy vision.
• Perplexity or attention deficit.
• Strange actions, slurred speech, or clumsiness (like being drunk).
• Feeling exhausted
• Fits or seizures.
• Going out or collapsing. You can experience a hypo, or low blood sugar level, while you’re asleep. You may get nighttime awakenings as a result of this or have a headache.
The Symptoms of Classic Cystic Fibrosis in Children Include
• Failing to flourish (inability to gain weight despite having a good appetite and taking in enough calories).
• Oily or loose stools.
• Difficulty breathing
• Persistent wheezing
• Common lung infections (recurrent pneumonia or bronchitis).
• Continual sinus infections
• Persistent cough.
• Slow expansion.
Differential Cystic Fibrosis
Patients may be adults by the time they receive an atypical cystic fibrosis diagnosis. Among the respiratory symptoms and indicators are:
• Persistent sinusitis
• Respiratory issues that may be attributable to asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Nose growths.
• Frequent pneumonia attacks. Other atypical cystic fibrosis symptoms and signs may include:
• Acute heat stroke or dehydration that shows abnormal electrolyte levels.
• Fertility issues
• Diarrhea.
• Pancreatitis.
• Unintended weight loss.
Other symptoms may also take place.
Therefore, consult your physician once you have one or more of the above-mentioned signs or symptoms.
References
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperglycemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373631
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/low-blood-sugar-hypoglycaemia/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9358-cystic-fibrosis
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20360227
See Also
Can You Leave Without a Pancreas
Dr.Sharif Samir Alijla, is a general medical doctor and a well-rounded professional that cares and treats patients from Palestine. I participated in many medical studies and conferences, I've launched a range of community initiatives and taken part in a variety of leadership and change training programs. I worked as an author for many medical websites such as TebFact . I specialized in writing medical articles from authoritative and updated sources in a simple and smooth the way for the reader.
