The pancreas is a long thin organ located behind the stomach, in the upper and posterior part of the abdomen, and extends horizontally.
It has important functions in the digestive system, as it contains exocrine and endocrine glands that produce pancreatic juices, hormones and insulin.
Pancreatic juices and enzymes produced by the exocrine glands are released through ducts into the intestine for the digestion of fats.
The endocrine glands or islets of Langerhans release the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream.
The third important hormone that produces the pancreas is somatostatin, responsible for regulating the functioning of the two previous hormones (insulin and glucagon).
When the pancreas works normally, the body is able to keep blood sugar levels within normal limits, even in situations where blood glucose levels change (from digestion, infections, etc.).
Insulin stimulates the body tissues to absorb the glucose they need as fuel. The excess glucose is stored in the liver as glycogen. Glucagon instead stimulates the degradation of glycogen stored in the liver, which is converted into glucose which is then released into the bloodstream.
These two hormones regulate blood sugar levels and when they are not working properly the result is often diabetes.
Diabetes arises when lack of sufficient hormone insulin secreted by the pancreas or a defect in its activity, increases the level of sugar in the blood to values that are unassailable and harmful to the body.
Among other diseases we find acute pancreatitis, an inflammatory process presents as a very intense pain in the pit of the stomach. Its most frequent cause is the stones of the gallbladder.
You can get more information in this link: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/0/04/Acute_Pancreatitis.webm/Acute_Pancreatitis.webm.480p.webm
Tobacco and alcohol are toxic to the pancreas. Carrying a balanced diet and exercise are fundamental to avoid being overweight, habits that not only prove to be good for the pancreas but also for our health and for many other organs of the human body.
It has important functions in the digestive system, as it contains exocrine and endocrine glands that produce pancreatic juices, hormones and insulin.
Pancreatic juices and enzymes produced by the exocrine glands are released through ducts into the intestine for the digestion of fats.
The endocrine glands or islets of Langerhans release the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream.
The third important hormone that produces the pancreas is somatostatin, responsible for regulating the functioning of the two previous hormones (insulin and glucagon).
When the pancreas works normally, the body is able to keep blood sugar levels within normal limits, even in situations where blood glucose levels change (from digestion, infections, etc.).
Insulin stimulates the body tissues to absorb the glucose they need as fuel. The excess glucose is stored in the liver as glycogen. Glucagon instead stimulates the degradation of glycogen stored in the liver, which is converted into glucose which is then released into the bloodstream.
These two hormones regulate blood sugar levels and when they are not working properly the result is often diabetes.
Diabetes arises when lack of sufficient hormone insulin secreted by the pancreas or a defect in its activity, increases the level of sugar in the blood to values that are unassailable and harmful to the body.
Tobacco and alcohol are toxic to the pancreas. Carrying a balanced diet and exercise are fundamental to avoid being overweight, habits that not only prove to be good for the pancreas but also for our health and for many other organs of the human body.
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