The pancreas is a gland behind the stomach and in front of the spine. It makes juices that help digest food, and hormones that help control blood sugar. Problems with it can lead to many health problems, including:
- Pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas, which happens when digestive enzymes start to digest the pancreas itself;
- pancreatic cancer;
- cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder in which thick, sticky mucus can also block tubes in the pancreas.
The pancreas and diabetes
- In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas's beta cells stop making insulin because the body's immune system has attacked them.
- In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas loses the ability to release enough insulin in response to meals.
Sources
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Pancreatic Diseases." https://medlineplus.gov/pancreaticdiseases.html
- Rewritten in hubnx's own words.
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