At the end of the day, our health is the most important thing. And while many young people take their health for granted, unfortunately, it won’t be that good forever. Sadly, thousands of bad eating habits, alcohol consumption, smoking, sedentary lifestyle and a lot of other things can only bring you temporary pleasure and comfort, but critically damage your health in longer-term perspective. One of the organs that greatly suffer from such factors is your pancreas.

A human being cannot live without many organs: the lungs, the heart, the liver, etc. The pancreas is no exception. The organ is located behind your stomach and is responsible for the production of enzymes that play a fundamental role in digestion. Therefore, it is important to know the signs and symptoms when the organ is in trouble and requires your help.

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5 signs of your pancreas not feeling well

The problems with your pancreas may be caused by many diseases: from pancreatitis to pancreatic cancer, which is considered the deadliest type of cancer mostly because it is hard to recognize it in the early stage. We’ve gathered possible symptoms that could indicate issues with this vital organ:

1. Pain

Pain is the strongest indicator of troubles with our body. Depending on the localization and character of the pain, you can recognize issues with your pancreas early on. This pain is always localized on the left side of your stomach, somewhere under your ribs, often feels like burning, and can radiate throughout the back and the shoulder blade. It can worsen after eating or drinking, and can even last for days. This pain can also increase when you lay on your back. The pancreas is squeezed and under pressure in this position.

2. Fever

Inflammatory processes in your pancreas would most certainly cause a high constant fever. This fever is often accompanied by pain or, at least, some kind of discomfort where your pancreas is located. However, don’t panic, only your doctor can tell for sure if it is related to your pancreas.

3. Nausea

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If your pancreas is damaged or not functioning properly, foods cannot be digested well, and your body can even send them back, resulting in multiple episodes of vomiting. The general feeling of not being well is pretty often if there’s something wrong with the pancreas.

4. Troubles with digestion

Troubles with digestion can manifest in many ways: from heartburn and bloating to constipation and diarrhea. The most common sign of issues with the pancreas is changes in stool. If it became light colored, floating, or oily and greasy, your body is having hard time digesting fats, which means your pancreas is probably not doing well. It is important to visit your GP if such changes persist.

5. Weight loss

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If you experience issues with the pancreas, you might as well start losing weight for no apparent reason. Due to the pancreas not functioning properly, your body is failing to digest foods, thus not being able to absorb the necessary nutrients. Weight loss as the consequence of malnutrition due to pancreatic diseases is one of the most common symptoms to look for.

How to help your pancreas

Doctors say people who have issues with pancreas may also experience some subtle signs, including accelerated cardiac rhythm (tachycardia), swallowed abdomen, and symptoms of having type 2 diabetes.

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They recommend adjusting your lifestyle to keep your pancreas healthy:

• quit smoking;
• avoid alcohol;
• limit refined sugar and flour consumption;
• eat foods rich in fiber and low-saturated fat;
• take any preventative measures for the type 2 diabetes.

If you experience the symptoms described in this article, you should visit your GP as soon as possible. Don’t hesitate, as these signs may indicate various life-threatening conditions including acute pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer!

Take care and stay healthy!

This article is solely for informational purposes. Do not self-diagnose or self-medicate, and in all cases consult a certified healthcare professional before using any information presented in the article. The editorial board does not guarantee any results and does not bear any responsibility for any harm that may result from using the information provided in the article.