PANCREAS & PANCREATITIS
Question: What is pancreatitis?
Answer: The pancreas is one of the body's digestive system organs: It lies behind the stomach. The pancreas has several functions. It produces enzymes that help the body break down and digest food. When you eat food, the pancreas produces the hormones insulin and glucagon, and they help to regulate how much sugar there is in your bloodstream.
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. Symptoms include stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Jaundice (yellow skin) is a rare symptom. People who have had pancreatitis say the pain often travels from the front of the belly toward the back and gets worse when they lie on their backs. Eating also often makes the pain worse. Sitting up or leaning forward sometimes lessens it.
Pancreatitis has many possible causes. But most of the time in the United States either gallstones or too much alcohol is to blame. Other causes include certain drugs, infections, and injury. You also can inherit a problem with your pancreas, and that alone may lead to pancreatitis.
If you think you may have pancreatitis or have been diagnosed with pancreatitis, a visit to your doctor is highly recommended.
