Pancreas: what it is, characteristics, tissue types and diseases

O pancreas is an endocrine system, located behind the stomach, measuring approximately between 15 to 25 cm, its main function acting in the digestive process of our body let's know a little more about this gland so important for our body?

Pancreas Characteristics

The Pancreas is a gland that is located in the human body behind the stomach, more precisely on the left side, its main function is to produce exocrine endocrine, or that is, the production of insulin and digestion enzymes, these digestion enzymes have the function of absorbing fats, proteins and carbohydrates from the foods we eat on the day. morning.

The hormones produced by the pancreas help balance the glucose in the blood, controlling to prevent the onset of diseases caused by it, such as diabetes, in addition to producing insulin hormones, it also produces somatostatin and glucagon. Both have great functions in the body.

O pancreas can be divided into 3 parts: pancreas head (right side) body and tail.

Here is the image of the pancreas:

TYPES OF PANCREAS TISSUES

The pancreas has tissues that are important for the body to function:

Islets of Langherans: is located in the endocrine region, it has the function of secreting hormones that help control blood glucose levels, as it is a group of cells that produce insulin and glucagon that regulate the metabolism in the same, these cells have a rounded shape, covered around by blood capillaries, there are 4 types of cells: alpha, beta, delta, PP (pancreatic polypeptide) was discovered in 1896 by a scientist named Paul Langherans, explaining the reason for the name given to the tissue, dedicated to him, they can measure considerably, between 100 to 200 µm of diameter.

Pancreatic Acid or Pancreatic Juice: It is located in the exocrine region, this acid is a secretion produced by the pancreas itself, acts mainly on the digestive system of the human body, helps in digestion of important substances such as proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, this juice has a light color and often colorless in its composition we found some enzymes, mineral salts, sodium bicarbonate, water, it can have a ph between 7.1 to 8.2 not being a specific value, some researchers point out which is between 8 and 8.3.

DISEASES THAT CAN AFFECT THE PANCREAS:

• pancreatic cancer it occurs in the lower part of the stomach, it is a serious disease and can be discovered late, making the whole treatment process difficult and can therefore spread very quickly, there are more than 150 a thousand cases a year, that is, it affects the population a lot, the symptoms are loss of appetite, weight loss for no apparent reason, jaundice, which is the yellowing of the eyes, dark urine, light colored or even oily stools, itchy skin, there may not be many symptoms in the early stage of cancer, treatment involves chemotherapy or even removal of the pancreas.
• pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can cause abdominal pain, symptoms can last for days or years if there is no specific treatment, this disease is caused by gallstones and excessive alcohol consumption, it can be of the acute or chronic type, the milder cases, that is, in the initial period it can be completely revolved through treatment, whereas in more severe cases it can lead to a risk of life. More than 15, 9 cases of pancreatitis are registered for every 100 thousand inhabitants.
• Type 1 diabetes: Pancreatic cells are destroyed by the increase in blood glucose, with this fact they can no longer produce insulin, this disease has no cure, but with the medical monitoring and specific treatment can alleviate the symptoms, it is a chronic disease, the symptoms can be: excessive thirst, excessive hunger, tiredness, vision blurred, dizziness. The treatment ensures that your blood sugar level is normalized.
• Cystic fibrosis: Congenital disease, fibrosis affects cells that produce mucus and digestive juices, symptoms may be coughing, lung infections, weight loss, fatty stools, as it is a chronic disease it can last for years or even the whole life

See too: Amebiasis, what is it?

HOW TO KEEP YOU HEALTHY?

• Controlling blood glucose levels, thus preventing the onset of diseases such as type 1 diabetes,
• Cancer can be avoided in 40% of cases by maintaining a healthier lifestyle such as: Maintaining the ideal weight for your age, o cigarettes affect the pancreas a lot and should be avoided, excessive alcohol consumption should be avoided, better nutrition healthy

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