The pancreas is a small organ located between the stomach and spine that has endocrine and exocrine functions. The endocrine pancreas cells produce and secrete insulin into the blood to regulate sugar metabolism. The exocrine pancreas cells produce enzymes that are secreted into the intestine to digest consumed fats, starches and proteins. Pancreatic diseases that damage the exocrine cells of the pancreas cause symptoms related to disturbed digestion and misdirected actions of the pancreatic enzymes.
Abdominal Pain
Inflammation of the pancreas causes swelling, which disrupts the outflow of the pancreatic digestive enzymes. The retained digestive enzymes act on the pancreatic tissues, causing cellular destruction and further inflaming the organ. The cycle of inflammation and digestive enzyme destruction of the pancreatic tissues provoke boring abdominal pain, which typically localizes in the upper abdomen above the navel. Pancreatic pain often radiates to the back. Acute pancreatitis characteristically causes sudden, intense abdominal pain. Chronic pancreatitis more commonly causes episodic severe pain or a constant dull pain, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Oily Stools and Leakage
A variety of diseases can damage the exocrine pancreas, or acinar, cells by causing chronic pancreatic inflammation, also known as chronic pancreatitis. Protracted alcohol abuse, cystic fibrosis, certain medications and high blood calcium or triglycerides are among the many causes of chronic pancreatitis. Extensive acinar cell damage caused by chronic pancreatitis diminishes the amount of digestive enzymes produced and secreted into the intestine.
Insufficient amounts of fat-digesting enzymes, or lipases, leads to the presence of high concentrations of undigested fat in the stool, notes the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Fat-laden stools are loose and voluminous with an oily appearance and texture. Fatty stool often floats in the toilet bowl and possesses a distinctive foul odor. Undigested fats may leak from the rectum between bowel movements, appearing as an oily discharge that soils the underclothes.
Weight Loss
The digestive enzymes produced by the exocrine pancreas accomplish the majority of food digestion that occurs in the gastrointestinal tract. Insufficient production and release of these enzymes due to pancreatic disease results in a significant amount of food passing through the intestines undigested. Undigested food provides no calories or nutritional value to the body. Thus, exocrine pancreatic diseases characteristically lead to unintentional weight loss and malnutrition, notes the American College of Gastroenterology.
Loss of Appetite, Nausea and Vomiting
People with chronic pancreatic disease and compromised exocrine function often experience loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Loss of appetite may be partially related to an avoidance of eating, which often provokes increased pancreatic pain.
References
- Cleveland Clinic: Chronic Pancreatitis
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Pancreatitis
- American College of Gastroenterology: Pancreatitis
- Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals: Chronic Pancreatitis
- Penn State College of Medicine Milton S. Hershey Medical Center: Pancreatitis
