Every food we consume enters the body through a long journey. This process will start from the mouth, continue to the food vessels, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and end in the rectum to the anus.
Did you know that each digestive organ has a different function? For example, the mouth is used as a place for food to enter, and the stomach is where the first chemical digestion process takes place.
Chemical digestion will continue in the small intestine, ultimately assisted by pancreatic, bile and liver enzymes. Furthermore, food that has been absorbed by its nutrients in the small intestine will rot in the large intestine until it becomes feces.
The feces will be stored in the rectum before finally being expelled through the anus. From this explanation, we can already see that the process of consuming food that we have carried out so far requires quite a long process.
In this article, we will explain more deeply about one of the functions of an organ that is so important in the digestive process. What organ is that> Yep, that’s right what will be discussed is the pancreas organ.
Have you ever heard of this organ? If not, there’s no need to be confused about looking for information, because you can find out more about the pancreas in this article. So, keep reading this article until the end, Mudalovers.
Understanding the Pancreas Organ
The first thing we will discuss together is the meaning of the pancreas. The pancreas is one of the body organs that has a big role in the digestive process. When the digestive process is taking place, the function of the pancreas is to help provide fluids called enzymes.
This enzyme will later be used as a medium for breaking down sugar, fat and starch. Not only enzymes, but the function of the pancreas also helps the digestive system when making hormones. This hormone will later work as a chemical messenger through the blood.
Apart from carrying messages, this hormone will also help regulate blood sugar levels and appetite, stimulate stomach acid and tell the stomach when to empty.
Pancreatic Function
A healthy pancreas organ will produce chemicals in the right amount and at the right time and can be used to digest every type of food we consume. Broadly speaking, the function of the pancreas is divided into two, namely exocrine function and endocrine function.
These two types of pancreatic function have different meanings. The following is an explanation of the function of the pancreas.
1. Exocrine Function
The pancreas contains exocrine glands which are capable of producing important enzymes that are very useful in digestion. These enzymes also include trypsin and chymotrypsin which are useful for digesting protein, amylase for digesting carbohydrates and also lipase which is useful for breaking down fat.
Some of the functions of these enzymes are as follows.
1. Lipase enzyme
The lipase enzyme will work together with bile fluid that has been produced by the liver which is useful for breaking down fats in food.
When the body does not have sufficient levels of lipase, the body will have difficulty absorbing fat and important vitamins that dissolve in fat. For example, Vitamins A, D, E and K.
2. Protease enzyme
The protease enzyme is an enzyme that is useful for breaking down proteins in food and helps to protect digestion from germs that may live in the intestines. Please note that proteins that cannot be digested will cause allergic reactions in some people.
3. Amylase enzyme
The amylase enzyme is an enzyme that can help break down starch into sugar that the body can use as energy.
When your body does not have sufficient levels of amylase, your body is likely to experience diarrhea caused by indigestible carbohydrates.
When food enters the stomach, fluid from the pancreas will be released into the duct system which ultimately leads to the main pancreatic duct or ductus. The pancreatic duct will later join the common bile duct to form the ampulla of Vater.
The ampulla of Vater is located in the first part of the small intestine or duodenum. The pancreatic juice and bile will be released into the duodenum where it is ultimately used to help the body digest fats, carbohydrates and proteins.
2. Endocrine Function
Next there is the endocrine function of the pancreas. This endocrine component consists of small islet cells or can be called islets of Langerhans. The truth is that it makes and releases important hormones into the bloodstream.
The two most important hormones are insulin and glucagon. The insulin hormone is responsible for lowering blood sugar and the glucagon hormone is responsible for increasing blood sugar levels.
It is important to know that maintaining proper blood sugar levels is very important for the function of the main organs, especially the brain, liver and kidneys. These two types of hormones have different functions. To make it clearer, here is an explanation of each hormone.
1. Insulin hormone
The hormone insulin is made in pancreatic cells which we often know as beta cells. These beta cells will make up about 75 percent of the pancreatic hormone cells.
Without sufficient insulin hormone, blood sugar levels in our body will increase. If this condition occurs, it could most likely be a sign of diabetes.
2. Glucagon hormone
The glucagon hormone is a part of alpha cells. These alpha cells are able to form around 20 percent of the cells in the pancreas and one of them produces glucagon.
If blood sugar levels are low enough, the hlicaon hormone has the task of increasing and sending messages to the liver so that it can release stored sugar reserves.
3. Gastrin and amulin hormones
Gastrin and amulin hormones, the gastrin hormone is in the G cells in the stomach, but some can also be made in the pancreas.
This hormone will stimulate the stomach to make stomach acid. Meanwhile, the amylin hormone is made in beta cells and functions as an aid to controlling appetite and is able to empty the stomach.
The pancreas is one of the important organs in the body. Not only the pancreas, but the body also has other important organs.
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Diseases that occur due to pancreatic disorders
A pancreas in healthy condition will be able to produce enzymes and hormones in the right amounts and at the right time, namely when we eat.
However, when the function of the pancreas is disturbed, this gland will not be able to produce digestive enzymes or the hormone insulin more optimally.
This will of course result in certain diseases, for example food intolerance to diabetes. Disorders of the pancreas organ can also cause several symptoms. For example, decreased appetite, weight loss, fatty stools, vomiting, nausea and even diarrhea.
So that you understand more about the types of disorders or diseases that might occur when the pancreas organ is disturbed.
1. Diabetes Types 1 and 2
The presence of type 2 diabetes will cause the body to be unable to use insulin properly because of insulin resistance. This will result in an increase in blood sugar levels until it is difficult to control.
If not immediately treated properly, over time type 2 diabetes will make the pancreas unable to produce insulin according to the human body’s needs.
Meanwhile, type 1 diabetes is a condition that occurs because the human body’s immune system attacks normal and healthy pancreatic cells which are capable of producing insulin.
Because of this condition, insulin will not be produced and it becomes more difficult for the body to control blood sugar. People suffering from this disease will generally need insulin injections throughout their lives.
However, in certain cases, type 2 diabetes patients may also be able to use insulin injection therapy, especially when blood sugar levels cannot be controlled with medication.
2. Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is a disease that will occur if the pancreas organ becomes inflamed and damaged. This condition will cause the pancreas organ to not function properly. The main cause of this type of disease is currently unknown.
However, in general, this disease is more at risk of affecting patients who have gallstones or those who frequently consume alcoholic drinks.
It is important to know that pancreatitis can become an acute or chronic condition. Pancreatitis falls into the category of illness when it appears suddenly and heals within a few weeks.
If this condition is not treated immediately, pancreatitis will persist for months or years and cause permanent damage to the pancreas organ.
3. Critical Fibrosis
There is also critical fibrosis or cystic fibrosis which can occur because it is caused by genetic disorders that cause problems with the organs and lungs.
This condition will cause several problems such as digestion, respiratory problems and can lead to the risk of diabetes.
4. Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is a disease that can secretly be deadly, you know. This is none other than because the cause of this disease is still unclear.
Most sufferers of this disease do not even experience any symptoms. Because of this, pancreatic cancer is often only detected when it has entered an advanced stage or is already severe.
Until now the cause of pancreatic disease is not clearly known. However, several factors that cause a person to be more at risk of developing this disease are hereditary or genetic factors, a history of diabetes or chronic pancreatitis, obesity and those who consume alcohol.
5. Pancreatic pseudocyst
Pancreatic pseudocyst is a cavity condition that has fluid contents and often occurs after pancreatitis. This type of disease can be treated with surgery, but sometimes it can also heal independently.
6. Pancreatic Islet Tumor and Pancreatic Enlargement
Another disorder that can occur in the pancreas organ is pancreatic islet tumors. This condition will cause hormone production to increase sharply, resulting in inflammation of the pancreas. When this condition does not interfere with the function of the pancreas, no treatment or treatment is needed.
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Types of Treatment to Help Treat Pancreatic Disorders
As previously explained, disorders of the pancreas organ will cause several diseases. Therefore, diseases that occur due to pancreatic disorders also need to be examined by a doctor so that more appropriate treatment can be obtained.
Several types of treatment that will be carried out by doctors for patients with pancreatic disorders are as follows.
1. Insulin Therapy
Insulin therapy will be carried out through injections of fat tissue such as the upper abdomen or upper arms.
This insulin injection will be given to those who already suffer from type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes which can no longer be treated with the help of oral anti-diabetic medication. Basically, insulin injections will help lower blood sugar levels while keeping them in a stable condition.
2. Giving enzymes
This can also be done by administering pancreatic enzymes to people with critical fibrosis or what is commonly referred to as food intolerance or nutritional deficiencies. This enzyme is often given through enzyme supplements.
3. Drainage
Drainage will be carried out for sufferers of pancreatic pseudocysts by inserting a needle and tube into the pancreatic organ through the abdominal skin.
Next, the doctor will connect the tube to the abdominal cavity or intestines. This action needs to be done in order to remove fluid or drain the cyst in the pancreatic organ.
4. Pancreatic Cancer Resection
This type of operation will be performed to remove the gallbladder, part of the pancreatic gland and also the base of the small intestine. Not infrequently as additional therapy, the doctor will give chemotherapy to the patient.
5. Pseudocyst surgery
Pseudocyst surgery can be performed by open surgery or laparotomy or laparoscopy. Laparotomy itself is a type of operation that uses a long vertical incision in the abdomen.
Meanwhile, laparoscopy is a type of operation that involves several small incisions with the help of tools and is equipped with a camera. Both types of surgery can be performed to remove pancreatic pseudocysts.
6. Islet Cell Transplantation
Islet cell transplantation is actually still in the research stage and needs to be done as a method of curing type 1 diabetes. This type of transplant will be carried out to remove the patient’s islet cells and they will be replaced with pancreatic islet cells from the donor.
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7. Pancreas Transplant
Pancreas transplantation can be performed on those who experience severe pancreatic disorders or have permanent damage to the pancreas organ.
Examples include pancreatitis, diabetes or critical fibrosis. This type of therapy can be carried out when the sufferer has received a suitable pancreas donor.
Because the function of the pancreas organ is so important, we as humans can actually take better care of this organ. The reason is that there are several simple methods that are believed to be able to be used as a form of maintaining the health of the pancreas organ.
Some of them are as explained below.
- Consume healthy food full of balanced nutrition.
- Always exercise regularly.
- Always maintain an ideal body weight.
- Stop smoking and stop consuming alcoholic beverages.
You must see a doctor if you have deeper questions about the pancreas organ or are experiencing several pancreatic symptoms such as sudden abdominal pain that spreads to the back area, nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, weight starts to decrease drastically for no reason or maybe there is. oil in the stool.
After undergoing treatment for digestive system disorders, of course patients must be able to receive proper and correct treatment. Therefore, in order to better understand the process and procedures for caring for patients with digestive system disorders, the book entitled Nursing Care for Patients with Digestive System Disorders can be used as a guide.
That is a review of the pancreas organ, starting from understanding to how to treat disorders of the pancreas organ which have been explained above. Hopefully all the discussion above is useful for you, Mudalovers.
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