What Are the Symptoms of Pancreas Disease?

Is your pancreas not functioning properly? Read on to learn more. 

The pancreas is an abdominal organ that places a critical role in digestion and also the regulation of blood sugar by secreting enzymes and hormones that help break down food. So, as you might imagine, if you are dealing with pancreatic disease your digestive tract might be a little off. This is something that our Calabasas, CA, gastroenterologist Dr. Parviz Gholami can help you manage.

Types of Pancreatic Diseases

Some of the most common types of pancreatic diseases include:

• Pancreatitis: an acute and sometimes chronic problem that causes inflammation of the pancreas
• Diabetes: a chronic metabolic disorder that occurs when the pancreas produces too much or not enough insulin
• Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI): when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough enzymes, causing malnourishment
• Cystic fibrosis: a genetic condition that can cause blockages in the tubes of the pancreas
• Pancreatic cancer: cancer of the pancreas

Signs that Your Pancreas Isn’t Functioning Properly 

It’s important to recognize when your pancreas might not be working properly or you may be dealing with pancreatic disease. You should turn to our Calabasas, CA, gastroenterologist Dr. Gholami if you are experiencing:

• Stomach pain that may radiate to the back
• Persistent bloating
• Nausea or vomiting (particularly after eating fatty foods)
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Abdominal swelling or tenderness
• Excess gas
• Light-colored stools
• Unexpected weight loss
• Trouble digesting food
• Fatty or foul-smelling stools
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)

While the occasional bout of gas or bloating shouldn’t bring you to our office, if these symptoms persist, then it’s time to turn to our gastroenterologist.

Sometimes symptoms of pancreatic disease can come on suddenly, and symptoms may even be severe. If you are experiencing severe abdominal pain, this is considered a medical emergency and you should consider going to your nearest emergency room for prompt care.

Treating Pancreatic Problems 

We need to first determine what’s causing your issues before we can treat them. The root cause of your symptoms will tell us the best course of action for treating the problem, whether it’s acute or chronic. For example, treatment for acute pancreatitis depends on the cause while chronic pancreatitis may require insulin, enzyme replacement therapy, and pain-relieving medications. Cystic fibrosis can be managed through special exercises and therapies, as well as medications while diabetes is often managed through healthy lifestyle changes and insulin.

If you are experiencing symptoms of pancreatic disease, our Calabasas, CA, gastroenterologist Dr. Gholami and the team at Calabasas Advanced Gastroenterology can craft a treatment plan to help you get the care you deserve. Call us today at (818) 696-8840 to schedule a consultation.