James A. Surrell, M.D.

Our pancreas is located behind the stomach in the upper abdomen of our body. It is the organ likely best known to most people because it produces the hormone insulin, used by the digestive system to remove glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream. It also produces glucagon, and this hormone has the opposite effect to release glucose into the blood stream to provide energy to our cells. The third hormone made in the pancreas is somatostatin, and it is also produced in the brain and in other parts of the body. The pancreas is considered to be primarily a digestive organ. In addition to the effects of insulin and glucagon, it releases pancreatic digestive enzymes into the small intestine. These digestive enzymes help us absorb nutrients and digest our food.

Here is some brief information about this third hormone called somatostatin. In the pancreas, somatostatin primarily blocks the release of both insulin and glucagon. Somatostatin also blocks the release of the pancreatic digestive enzyme secretions into the small intestine. In summary, we could think of somatostatin as the hormone in our body that regulates excess hormone release by blocking their secretion.

Diabetes – The major chronic malfunction of the human pancreas is Type 2 diabetes. This occurs when the pancreas cannot make enough insulin to store the excess sugar in the diet. Recall that the average consumption of sugar in the USA is about 150 pounds per person per year. There are millions of diabetics in the USA today, and unfortunately, too many have not yet been diagnosed. Even more worrisome, there are about 80 million “pre-diabetics,” who will become diagnosed with diabetes if they continue their current unhealthy dietary choices. Fortunately, with insulin and oral medications, there are effective treatments to help manage diabetes.

Pancreatitis – Inflammation in the pancreas is called pancreatitis. The pancreas produces chemicals called enzymes, and usually these enzymes are only active after they reach the small intestine. If these enzymes somehow become active inside the pancreas, they start to digest the pancreas itself. This can cause swelling, bleeding, and damage to the pancreas. Pancreatitis symptoms include severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, fever, and the person generally looks and feels quite ill. The cause of pancreatitis is often not known, but some medications, certain other illnesses, previous surgeries, and personal habits make you more likely to develop this condition. Acute pancreatitis is most often caused by alcohol abuse (70% of cases in USA). It is usually diagnosed with blood test abnormalities and a C.T. scan to look at the pancreas. Pancreatitis can become chronic.

Pancreatic Cancer – This is often referred to as the “silent killer,” with no early symptoms, and often diagnosed at an advanced stage. When symptoms occur, they usually include pain in the upper abdomen and back, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Diagnosis is often made on a C.T. scan. Localized pancreatic tumors may be treated with surgery and advanced cases are considered for chemotherapy. In the USA, there are about 60,000 new cases each year. Pancreatic cancer has one of the highest fatality rates of all cancers. Be aware of various factors that increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. These include family history, smoking, overweight and obesity, diabetes, and others. Know your family medical history, don’t smoke, maintain healthy weight, and do not ignore any upper abdominal symptoms.