In the human body, the role of the pancreas is difficult to overestimate. She is actively involved in digestion, preparing, splitting and promoting the absorption of food. In addition, carbohydrate metabolism is not without its participation, where with its help the level of glucose in the blood is regulated. Any failure in the work of the gland is manifested by serious diseases, the correct way of life will help to avoid them to a large extent.
The structure of the internal organ of digestion
The pancreas (pancreas) is located behind the stomach on the posterior abdominal wall, going slightly into the area of the left hypochondrium. It consists of three main parts: the head, body and tail. The head adjoins the duodenum, which encompasses it in the form of a horseshoe. The organ has a light pink hue, a width of about 9 cm, a thickness of up to 3 cm, and a length of 25 cm.
The pancreatic mass is about 80 grams and from the outside it is in a thin capsule. The inner surface of the organ consists of cells and tubes, between which the vessels and ducts pass.
Digestion and pancreas
The main role of the pancreas in digestion is the production of enzymes that contribute to the digestion process. The most important of them are:
- Amylase - it promotes the breakdown of carbohydrates into sugar molecules that are absorbed by the intestines.
- Lipase - breaks down lipids into glycerin and fatty acids, promotes the absorption of vitamins K, E, D, A.
- Nuclease - divides nucleic acid into nucleotides, which are absorbed during digestion and are used to build genetic structures.
- Trypsinogen - participates in the synthesis of trypsin, which breaks down proteins and peptides.
- Phospholipase is a group of enzymes necessary for the restoration of cell membranes.
Without these substances, it is impossible to digest food, and therefore the assimilation of nutrients, so the role of the pancreas in the digestion process is very large. An individual simply cannot exist without vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins and carbohydrates.
Pancreas regulation
All pancreatic work is under the control of the central nervous system. The vagus activates its work, and the sympathetic nerve reduces activity. And it should be noted that gastric juice also activates the gland. With its increased production, the work of the gland accelerates.
If a large amount of carbohydrates enters the stomach, then the pancreas enhances the production of amylase, necessary for their breakdown. On the contrary, when eating fatty foods, lipase increases in the intestine, and trypsin increases when proteins enter.
What is the role of the pancreas in the human body in the production of hormones?
The production of these substances is another important function of the pancreas. These include:
- Insulin is a protein hormone. It takes part in metabolic processes and influences the absorption of fats, amino acids and carbohydrates. Thanks to him, the cells of the body are nourished. With a lack of insulin, nutrients do not go where they are needed. The most famous disease that worsens an individual's quality of life and is characterized by a lack or complete lack of insulin is diabetes.
- Glucagon - the action of this substance is completely opposite to insulin. The main role of the hormone of the pancreas is to activate all the reserves of carbohydrates and turn them into energy so that the body normally exists and works. This hormone also normalizes blood glucose levels.
The production of insulin increases with an increased level of glucose, and if it becomes less in the blood, then there is an increase in the production of glucagon.
Pathological conditions of the pancreas
Often in the work of the pancreas there are failures. An insufficient amount of production of any of the hormones or enzymes leads to an imbalance in the body and is manifested by the following symptoms:
- pain in the right and left hypochondrium, having a shingles;
- the occurrence of nausea;
- the appearance of an unpleasant taste in the mouth;
- increase in body temperature;
- decreased appetite and weight;
- the appearance of vomiting of a bitter or sour taste.
The main symptom in all diseases of the pancreas is pain. It can be regular or periodic, weaken or intensify depending on the position of the body. And since the role of the pancreas in the life of the individual is very important, it is necessary to immediately contact the doctor when the first signs of the disease appear. Otherwise, the untimely diagnosis causes the following diseases:
- diabetes;
- pancreatitis
- a cyst;
- fistulas;
- cancer.
Pancreatitis: signs of the disease
Sudden inflammation of the gland responsible for the digestive process causes acute pancreatitis. In violation of exocrine functions, the enzymes cease to enter the duodenum and they are digested inside the gland. Toxins are produced that are dangerous to other internal organs. Pancreatitis develops as a result of the destruction of tissues in the ducts due to increased pressure during enzymatic activity, and later tissue structures of the gland are damaged. Due to inflammation, the role of the pancreas in the body for digestion is reduced. The disease is characterized by the following symptoms:
- persistent dull or cutting pain in the abdomen on the left or right side;
- possibly a state of shock;
- belching, hiccups, nausea, vomiting with bile;
- diarrhea.
Conservative treatment of pancreatitis: pharmacotherapy
Pancreatic inflammation is treated in an inpatient setting. Prior to this, the patient needs the following help:
- put a cold compress on the stomach to slow down fermentation;
- to relieve muscle spasm - take Drotaverinum;
- refuse to eat.
Medications for the treatment of pancreatitis:
- H2-histamine blockers - to relieve pain in the ducts of the gland.
- NSAIDs, analgesics, antispasmodics.
- Trypsin-containing medications - to stimulate exocrine functions.
Pancreas for diabetes
The pancreas as a result of disturbances in work ceases to produce the required amount of insulin (type 2 diabetes), or does not produce it at all (type 1). Symptoms of the disease:
- frequent urination;
- intense thirst;
- rapid weight loss with normal appetite;
- weakness, fatigue, fatigue;
- numbness of the limbs;
- heaviness in the legs;
- dizziness;
- poor wound healing;
- cramps in the calf muscles.
In some cases, there are no signs of thirst and an increase in the amount of urine. But with a violation of the role of the pancreas in the human body over time, the patient will definitely pay attention to the characteristic symptoms of diabetes - general weakness, poor mood, pustular dermal lesions, permanent weight loss.
Therapy is completely dependent on the type of disease. The first type is treated with insulin, in the complete absence of its production in the body. For the treatment of the second type, a diet is first used, and then they switch to a tablet form of antidiabetic drugs.
Pancreatic cyst: clinical picture
If there is a violation of secretion in the pancreas and the death of the tissue, an abnormal cavity or bubble filled with fluid, called a cyst, occurs. The disease can be congenital or acquired. The causes of the disease:
- mechanical trauma of the pancreas;
- not fully cured acute or chronic form of pancreatitis;
- helminthic infestations;
- hemorrhage in the parenchyma.
A small neoplasm does not cause unpleasant sensations, but with an increase it puts pressure on neighboring organs, displacing them from their place. The following symptoms occur:
- persistent or paroxysmal pain in the area of cyst formation;
- body temperature differences;
- stool disorders.
With such a neoplasm, a violation of the production of enzymes and hormones occurs, which is the main role of the pancreas in the human body. With the disease, urgent surgical treatment is required in such cases:
- if there is obstructive jaundice due to obstruction of the bile ducts;
- there is a breakthrough of the cyst in the abdominal cavity;
- the occurrence of bleeding;
- inflammation.
All these troubles arise due to untimely treatment of cysts.
Dietary nutrition in pathological processes in the pancreas
The most important thing in the prevention and treatment of pancreas is proper nutrition. Taking into account the important role of the pancreas in the human body, it is necessary to treat it carefully. If acute pancreatitis occurs, you must completely abandon food for two days to reduce the production of pancreatic juice. Food these days can be replaced with alkaline mineral water that does not contain gas, and a decoction of rose hips. The list of products that will be allowed after the relief of the acute phase includes:
- fresh meat of poultry, rabbit and fish;
- all fermented milk products;
- soups cooked in a vegetable broth with the addition of vermicelli and cereals;
- rice, buckwheat, oats (for making cereals);
- pasta only from durum wheat;
- egg omelet;
- jelly and jelly.
Food should be steamed or boiled. Vegetable and butter should not be cooked. Drinking regimen is recommended. Plain water at room temperature helps speed up the digestion of food and reduce the load on the gland.
Pancreatic Diseases in Pets
The functional role of the pancreas in the body of an animal is no different from the human. This organ also has the function of external and internal secretion.
In the first case, juice is produced, enriched with electrolytes and enzymes. Secondly, the hormones glucagon, somatostatin and insulin are synthesized. From electrolytes, pancreatic juice contains - copper, zinc, magnesium, chlorine, potassium, sodium and bicarbonates, which neutralize the acidic environment of the duodenum, which increases the activity of enzymes.
In horses and dogs, the pancreatic duct opens into the duodenum 12 along with the bile ducts. In other animals - on their own. Diseases of the pancreas in all representatives of the animal world are the same as in humans. Most often they suffer from pancreatitis. Horses with diabetes suffer from horses, pigs, dogs and all animals with a single-chamber stomach.
Conclusion
We found out what role the pancreas plays for digestion and human life. To preserve her health, each individual is recommended to abandon bad habits, eat the right food at a strictly defined time and drink enough fluid.