You’ve probably never given too much thought to your pancreas, unless you’ve had a problem with it. This organ is easy to ignore but it takes care of some important functions for your body. Understanding what the pancreas does can help you take better care of your health and know when it might need some attention.
“The pancreas is a small organ, usually about six inches long,” said Faisal S. Jehan, MD, a surgical oncologist with Banner - University Medicine. “But it plays a big role in keeping your body balanced.”
Your pancreas has two main jobs:
- Digestion: The pancreas makes special enzymes that help break down fats, proteins and carbohydrates in the food you eat. These enzymes travel through a small duct into your intestine so your body can absorb nutrients easily.
- Blood sugar control: “The pancreas acts like a ‘glucose thermostat,’” Dr. Jehan said. It makes two important hormones that keep your blood sugar in a healthy range by lowering it after meals and raising it when your levels get too low.
Where is the pancreas?
Your pancreas is a flat organ in the body that sits behind your stomach and next to your small intestine. It’s positioned to help with both digestion and releasing hormones.
How the pancreas helps with digestion
Every time you eat, your pancreas gets to work. It produces digestive enzymes that break food down into nutrients your body can use.
Dr. Jehan said, “Your pancreas makes about one to two liters of digestive juices every day. That’s almost a full bottle of soda worth of enzyme-rich fluid working behind the scenes!”
Each enzyme helps with a different type of nutrient:
- Amylase: Helps digest carbohydrates
- Protease: Breaks down proteins
- Lipase: Breaks down fats
These enzymes travel through the pancreatic duct and into your small intestine, where they mix with food. They help your digestive system absorb vitamins, minerals and energy your body can use.
The pancreas and blood sugar control
The pancreas also plays a major role in keeping your blood sugar (glucose) levels steady. It releases two important hormones that regulate levels:
- Insulin: Lowers blood sugar by helping your cells use glucose for energy
- Glucagon: Raises blood sugar by signaling your liver to release stored glucose
When this balance is disrupted, blood sugar levels can rise or fall too much. Diabetes can happen when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or when the body can’t use insulin properly.
Common pancreas problems
Usually, your pancreas works quietly in the background. But sometimes, problems can crop up.
Some of the most common conditions include:
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas, often caused by gallstones, heavy alcohol use, high triglycerides or certain medications. “It can be very painful and very serious,” Dr. Jehan said.
- Diabetes: When the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or the body becomes resistant to it, leading to high blood sugar.
- Pancreatic insufficiency: When the pancreas doesn’t make enough digestive enzymes. This causes bloating and fatty stools and makes it hard for your body to absorb nutrients.
- Pancreatic cysts or tumors: Growths in the pancreas. “Many cysts are benign (noncancerous) and may simply need monitoring over time, but some can show precancerous or cancerous changes,” Dr. Jehan said. Pancreatic cancer can progress quickly and is often found late because early symptoms are subtle.
Symptoms that may signal a pancreas problem include:
- Belly pain
- Nausea
- Changes in digestion
- Unexplained weight loss
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
It’s important to talk to a health care provider if you notice any of these symptoms. The sooner you get started with any needed treatment, the better your odds for a good outcome.
How to keep your pancreas healthy
“Many of the same habits that keep your heart and liver healthy will also protect your pancreas,” Dr. Jehan said. It can help to follow these healthy pancreas tips:
- Eat a balanced, plant-forward diet: Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats are good for your pancreas. “Avoid very high-fat or heavily processed foods that stress the pancreas,” Dr. Jehan said.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water helps keep your whole digestive system working smoothly.
- Limit or avoid alcohol use: Heavy drinking can cause pancreatitis.
- Avoid smoking: Tobacco greatly increases the risk of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.
- Maintain a healthy weight: A healthy body weight helps with blood sugar control.
- Get regular checkups: Your provider can look for early signs of problems, before you notice symptoms. Checkups are especially important if you have risk factors for diabetes or other conditions related to the pancreas.
When to see a doctor
Talk with your health care provider if you notice possible pancreas symptoms like:
- Severe or ongoing abdominal pain, especially if it radiates to your back
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Yellowing of your skin or eyes
- Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
- Greasy or pale stools, or trouble digesting fatty foods
- New-onset diabetes, especially if you are older or have no risk factors
“Pancreatic diseases can often be prevented or managed when caught early,” Dr. Jehan said. “If you have a family history of pancreatic or gastrointestinal diseases, or if you’re at higher risk due to smoking or heavy alcohol use, regular check-ins with your doctor can make a difference.”
Pancreatic diseases usually involve different systems in your body, and to diagnose and treat them, you may need care from a team that includes gastroenterologists, surgeons, oncologists, radiologists and nutrition specialists working together.
“For this reason, if you’re diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cysts or pancreatic cancer, you should ideally receive care at a high-volume center where teams specialize in these disorders,” Dr. Jehan said.
The bottom line
Your pancreas may be small, but it plays a big role in your health. It helps with both digestion and blood sugar regulation, so it keeps your body fueled and balanced.
If you have concerns about your pancreas or digestive health, the experts at Banner Health are here to help. Reach out to one of our digestive health specialists for care.
