Your pancreas synthesizes and releases a number of hormones into your bloodstream to help regulate a number of physiological processes. Among these hormones is insulin, a compound that helps to regulate your blood sugar and prevent hyperglycemia, or abnormally high blood sugar levels. Individuals with type I diabetes experience pancreatic problems that prevent proper insulin secretion, leading to high blood sugar. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to a number of symptoms.
Increased Urination and Risk of Dehydration
One of the primary symptoms of pancreatic problems and high blood sugar is increased urination and thirst. Normally, your kidneys help to preserve the levels of sugar in your bloodstream, retaining blood sugar while filtering out toxins into your urine. If you have high blood sugar, your kidneys allow sugar and fluid to leach into your urine, increasing the volume of urine and frequency of urination. In response to this excess fluid loss, you may experience increased thirst as your body tries to replenish your fluid stores. If you experience thirst, even after drinking high levels of fluids, seek medical attention to address the possibility of pancreatic problems.
Ketoacidosis
Another possible sign of pancreatic problems and high blood sugar is ketoacidosis. Normally, the release of insulin from your pancreas signals for your cells to take up the sugar in your bloodstream and then use that sugar as a source of energy. In the absence of insulin secretion, your cells can no longer use your blood sugar as a source of energy, and it begin to burn fats instead. The breakdown of these fats leads to the production and accumulation of chemicals called ketones, which can lead to ketoacidosis. As a result, individuals with pancreatic problems may notice an abnormal fruity-tasting breath, dry mouth, difficulty breathing and nausea.
Nephropathy
If left untreated, pancreatic problems and high blood sugar can eventually lead to kidney damage, called nephropathy. If you suffer from consistently high blood sugar, your kidneys face a constant increase in workload as they attempt to filter the sugar within your bloodstream. Over time, the filters between your kidney cells begin to break down and begin to allow other compounds, such as protein, to spill into your urine. If allowed to persist, the nephropathy can eventually lead to abnormal fluid buildup in your body, nausea, headaches and cause abnormally frothy urine.
Neuropathy
Another possible long-term symptom of pancreatic problems and high blood sugar is neuropathy, or damage to your nerve tissue. This condition, called diabetic neuropathy, develops due to your nerves' continued exposure to high blood sugar as well as decreased circulation and blood flow. Neuropathy can cause a range of symptoms depending on the nerves affected, but it also can lead to digestive difficulties and incontinance, tingling of the extremities and loss of fine motor control of the face. If you suffer from pancreatic problems and diabetes, you can prevent symptoms like neuropathy by using diet and medication to control your blood sugar levels.
