Another type of disease that the general surgery outpatient clinic of our hospital is interested in is pancreatic diseases. There are many types of pancreatic diseases.

What Are Pancreatic Diseases?

The pancreas, which is one of the mostimportant organs, is the organ that occupies space from the right side of the abdomen to the left part of the liver and regulates body enzymes with the hormones it secretes, balances blood sugar and helps digestion of foods. Pancreatic diseases result from the inability of the pancreas to secrete enzymes, and the inability of the body to regulate insulin resistance.

Pancreatic diseases include acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, hereditary pancreatitis, autoimmune pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer.

Acute pancreatitis

It is the inability of the enzymes of the pancreas to reach the intestines and the enzymes remain in the pancreas. As a result of this situation, gallstones occur and these stones cause obstruction in the gall bladder and its canals. It is an acute disorder caused by the blockage of the pancreas gland due to the stones forming in the pancreatic canal falling into the pancreatic canal and edema and swelling. The most important factor is fatty diet and alcohol use. Inadequate treatment can cause fatal necrotizing pancreatitis.

Chronic pancreatitis

It is usually a hereditary disease and can progress. It is caused by damage to the cells and pancreas as a result of inflammation in the pancreas. Alcohol consumption is a trigger for the disease. Since digestion cannot develop properly, indigestion problems are experienced. People are at high risk of diabetes because the pancreas gland does not work properly.

Hereditary pancreatitis

It is a disease caused by congenital disorders in the structure of the pancreas. It may progress to chronic pancreatitis. Fatty diet and alcohol use trigger the disease.

Autoimmune pancreatitis

It is a disease that occurs as a result of the body's own immune system perceiving the pancreatic gland as a foreign body and trying to dissolve the gland.

Pancreatic cancer

It occurs with the cancerization of malignant tumors formed in the pancreas and originating from the tissues of the pancreas. These tumors can be caused by genetic factors, obesity, smoking and chronic pancreatic disorders.

What Are The Symptoms of Pancreatic Diseases?

Symptoms of pancreatic diseases may appear suddenly over time. Since this disease, which causes blood sugar and enzyme problems, affects the digestive system, its symptoms are problems in the digestive system. Symptoms such as abdominal tenderness, diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, gas formation, weight loss, blurred vision and jaundice are observed.

Diagnosis and Treatments of Pancreatic Diseases

It is possible to detect problems of the pancreas, which is difficult to physically examine, with radiological imaging and blood tests and stool test. Determine what symptoms the patient has. Pancreatic disease can be diagnosed by computed tomography, endoscopic ultrasound, examination with MR and, if cancer is present, biopsy.

The type of treatment varies according to the type of pancreatic disease. If the disease develops due to diet and alcohol, alcohol use should be stopped and smoking should be stopped. Medications, painkillers and vitamin supplements that support the secretion of enzymes that the pancreas cannot secrete can be used in treatment. Pancreatic problems requiring surgery may require removal of a part of the pancreas or pancreatic transplantation.

If our general surgeon deems it necessary after the diagnostic methods, he/she will contact our dietitian and infection specialist and help you by arranging your treatment.