The pancreas, which is located behind the stomach, produces pancreatic juices and hormones including insulin. The substances produced by this organ aid in digestion. When the pancreas is not functioning properly, various health problems can occur....
Pancreatic cancer is when cancerous cells are found in the tissues of the pancreas. According to the National Cancer Institute, it can also be called exocrine cancer.
The University of Maryland Medical Center describes low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, as the production of too much insulin by the pancreas, glucose being discharged too slowly into the blood or blood sugar being used up too quickly. Middle-aged...
There are many causes of upper abdominal pain. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, pain can originate in the abdomen, or it can be referred from another body part, such as the chest. Severe...
Pancreatic carcinoma is characterized by abnormal and unregulated cell growth within the pancreas. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that approximately 42,470 people in the United States were diagnosed with pancreatic carcinoma in 2009....
Byetta is an injectable diabetic medication that helps the pancreas make more insulin, so glucose can be absorbed into cells for use as energy. Byetta is used only for people with type 2, or adult onset, diabetes. Byetta is taken an hour or less...
Some individuals develop diabetes for the first time at age 70 or even older. According to researcher Elizabeth Selvin and colleagues at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, based on an analysis of data from nearly 3,000 elderly...
The normal pancreas aids in digestion by secreting enzymes. It also secretes hormones that regulate blood sugar metabolism. Tumors, benign and malignant, can grow in the pancreas leading to cancer, or possibly cancer can spread to the pancreas...
The common cold, hay fever and the stomach flu are just some minor medical conditions that infrequently threaten life. Oftentimes, these medical problems resolve on their own. However, a sudden pain in the chest or stomach or a brief sexual...
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which is a gland located behind the stomach. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes that are important for carbohydrates, proteins and fats digestion. The pancreas also produces insulin and...
Most food sources of vitamin B12 come from animal products like eggs, milk and meat. If you are a vegan, your doctor may suggest you take a B12 supplement. Physicians also prescribe extra B12 to older people and to patients with illnesses...
If you develop upper right abdominal pain after drinking soda, you need to talk with your doctor about your symptoms so he can diagnose the cause. This pain is most likely not a sign of a serious medical condition. Common effects of consuming...
The pancreas is an organ that plays an important role in food digestion, produces insulin and glucagon and controls blood sugar levels. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of your pancreas that affects the function of the organ as well as nutrient...
Cystic fibrosis (CF), a common genetic disease that causes severe lung disease and other symptoms, has two forms: classic and nonclassic, or atypical. People with the atypical form of cystic fibrosis can have the same symptoms as a person with the...
Abdominal pain is a common complaint. The causes of abdominal pain are usually benign, but certain signs and symptoms should alert you to the possibility of a serious condition. Other characteristics of the pain that are important in assessing...
Aching, gnawing and cramping pain felt in the pit of the upper part of the stomach can be more than a sign of an upset stomach. Sometimes, certain organs can be inflamed or clots can obstruct important vessels surrounding the stomach and lead to...
The pancreas is a gland that aids the digestive process by secreting digestive juices into the first part of the small intestine via a tube that is called the pancreatic duct. The digestive juices join with bile, which is produced by the liver, to...
Estrogen and progesterone play a critical role in the health of women. Levels of these sex steroids must remain in perfect balance to ensure reproductive fertility. The two hormones also affect bone health, cancer risk and emotional stability....
Pancreatitis refers to inflammation of the pancreas --- a large gland behind your stomach that produces digestive enzymes. It can occur suddenly, which is acute pancreatitis, or develop overtime, known as chronic pancreatitis. According to the...
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ responsible for the production of several digestive enzymes and the hormone insulin. The pancreas is located behind the stomach and at the beginning of the small intestine, helping to digest...
Bloating on its own can be caused by several factors, including menstruation, ovulation or even high salt intake--basically anything that causes liquid to pool in the abdominal area. However, when it is coupled with loss of appetite, the cause is...
Abdominal pain may stem from a wide variety of sources, including within the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and reproductive systems, according the the American College of Gastroenterology. Depending on the underlying cause,...
Chronic pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas that does not heal or gets worse over time and leads to permanent damage. The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach that produces insulin, glucagon and digestive enzymes. Chronic...
Upset stomach is a term often used to describe a general discomfort in your upper abdomen. Sometimes referred to as indigestion or dyspepsia, this type of discomfort is different than nausea, which takes place lower within your abdomen and feels...
Enzymes are catalysts and assist in speeding up chemical reactions in the body. Enzymes help regulate metabolism, liver function and digestion. With obese or overweight individuals, weight loss may help improve enzyme levels. When enzymes are at...
Left-sided abdominal pain after eating is most classically the result of peptic ulcer disease, which results from overuse of anti-inflammatories or infection with a bacterium. Peptic ulcer disease can have some fairly serious complications, so you...
Whenever you consume excess calories, your body converts the excess into triglycerides, a type of fat found in your bloodstream. Your body often uses triglycerides for energy between meals. If you regularly take in more calories than you need --...
Upper abdominal pain followed by nausea after eating can indicate many different problems and complications. The pain can range from a dull, throb to a sharp, shooting pain. Sometimes gas can cause abdominal pain and nausea. In certain instances,...
The digestive system, which consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, anus, liver, pancreas and gall bladder, functions to breakdown food particles, move the contents through the digestive tract and...
