What Are Pancreatic Diseases? Symptoms and Treatment Methods

Pancreatic diseases are important health problems that affect the quality of life of many people today. The pancreas is a vital organ that plays a critical role in the digestive system and blood sugar regulation. Therefore, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of pancreatic diseases are of great importance. In this article, we will examine what pancreatic diseases are, the function of the pancreas in the body and the symptoms of these diseases.

What Are Pancreatic Diseases?

Pancreatic diseases include various health problems that cause the pancreas to fail to fulfil its normal function. These diseases are usually caused by conditions such as inflammation, infection, tumors or duct obstruction of the pancreas. The most common types of pancreatic diseases include pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and diabetes.

What is the Function of the Pancreas in the Body?

The pancreas is an organ about 15 cm long, located in the abdominal cavity. It has two main functions: endocrine and exocrine. The endocrine function is to regulate blood sugar by producing hormones such as insulin and glucagon. The exocrine function is to produce and secrete enzymes necessary for digestion. These enzymes help digest fats, proteins and carbohydrates and ensure the absorption of nutrients.

What Are The Symptoms of Pancreatic Diseases?

Symptoms of pancreatic diseases vary depending on the type and severity of the disease. However, some common symptoms are as follows;

• Abdominal pain, especially in the upper abdomen and back,
• Nausea and vomiting,
• Loss of appetite and weight loss,
• Bloating and flatulence,
• Feeling of hunger and frequent desire to eat,
• Fatigue and weakness,
• Constipation or diarrhea,
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes),
• Abnormal changes in blood glucose levels,

The treatment of pancreatic diseases depends on the cause and severity of the disease. Inflammatory conditions, such as acute pancreatitis, are usually managed in hospital with fluid therapy and pain medication. More serious conditions, such as chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, may require surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Diabetes is managed with lifestyle changes and insulin therapy.

Pancreatic diseases can significantly affect quality of life and can lead to serious complications if not diagnosed and treated in time. If you are experiencing symptoms of pancreatic disease, it is important to access the correct diagnosis and treatment by contacting a healthcare professional.

What Are The Causes of Pancreatic Diseases?

The pancreas is an organ that plays an important role in the digestive system and regulates insulin production and blood sugar levels. Pancreatic diseases can occur for various reasons and these reasons are as follows;

• Some pancreatic diseases can be seen in families due to genetic mutations. Especially conditions such as pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer may show genetic predisposition.

• Autoimmune pancreatitis, which causes inflammation of the pancreas, occurs as a result of the immune system attacking its own cells.

• Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can increase the risk of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.

• Gallstones falling into the pancreatic duct and causing obstruction can lead to acute pancreatitis.

• Viral, bacterial or parasitic infections can cause inflammation of the pancreas.

• Damage to the pancreas can occur as a result of accidents, falls or surgical interventions.

• Some medicines can increase the risk of pancreatitis. In particular, drugs used in HIV treatment and some cholesterol drugs can cause this condition.

How Are Pancreatic Diseases Diagnosed?

To diagnose pancreatic diseases, doctors evaluate the patient’s symptoms, physical examination and various tests. The methods used to diagnose pancreatic diseases are as follows;

• Blood tests,
• Imaging tests,
• Endoscopic ultrasound,
• Biopsy.

What Are The Types of Pancreatic Disease?

The main types of pancreatic diseases are as follows;

• Pancreatitis,
• Pancreatic cancer,
• Pancreatic cysts,
• Diabetes,
• Pancreatic insufficiency,

Which Department Should I Go to for Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Diseases?

For the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic diseases, the gastroenterology department should be consulted first. Gastroenterology specialists are physicians specializing in digestive system and liver diseases and are experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic diseases.

Symptoms of pancreatic diseases include abdominal pain, weight loss, jaundice, diabetes, digestive problems and oily stools. These symptoms may indicate other digestive system diseases besides pancreatic diseases. Therefore, it is important to consult a gastroenterologist for correct diagnosis and treatment.

The gastroenterologist uses various methods to diagnose the disease, such as physical examination, laboratory tests, imaging methods and endoscopic procedures. He/she may also refer the patient to other specialists for further examinations and treatment, for example to a general surgeon when surgical intervention is required.

What Are The Treatment Methods for Pancreatic Diseases?

Treatment methods of pancreatic diseases vary depending on the type and severity of the disease and the general health status of the patient. The main pancreatic disease treatment methods include drug therapy, endoscopic treatment, surgical intervention and pancreas transplantation.

In cases of inflammation of the pancreas, such as pancreatitis, painkillers, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic drugs may be used. In addition, in cases of pancreatic enzyme deficiency, pancreatic enzyme supplements may be given to support the digestive process.

In some types of pancreatic diseases, endoscopic methods such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can be used. With this method, blockages in the pancreas and bile ducts can be opened and stones can be removed.

Conditions such as pancreatic cancer, pancreatic cysts, severe pancreatitis and pancreatic stones may require surgical intervention. Surgical methods include laparoscopic surgery, robotic surgery and open surgery.

In severe pancreatic diseases and advanced stages of type 1 diabetes, pancreas transplantation may be considered. Pancreas transplantation can significantly improve the patient’s quality of life when successful.

How Is Pancreas Transplantation Performed?

Pancreas transplantation is a surgical procedure in which all or part of the pancreas is removed from another person and transplanted into the patient. Pancreas transplantation is usually performed in patients with type 1 diabetes and pancreatic insufficiency.

During the pancreas transplant procedure, the surgeon makes an incision in the patient’s abdomen to access the area where the pancreas will be placed. Then, the donor pancreas is connected to the patient’s pancreas and blood flow is ensured. The ducts of the donor pancreas are also connected to the patient’s intestines to contribute to the digestive process.

After pancreas transplantation, it is necessary to use drugs that suppress the patient’s immune system. These drugs prevent the body from reacting to the new pancreas and help the transplant to be successful. However, the use of immunosuppressive drugs can also have side effects, so it is important that patients are followed up regularly.

Pancreatic Diseases Treatment Prices in Turkey

Turkey has managed to announce its name to the world with its investments and studies in the field of health. Especially the latest technological devices used in diagnosis and treatment procedures have been a beacon of hope for many diseases. However, there has been an increase in health tourism in Türkiye.

• Hospitals are large, clean, spacious and fully equipped in terms of technological equipment.
• Turkish doctors are specialized, successful, and skilled in their fields.
• Nurses and carers are friendly and compassionate.
• Finding answers to the questions asked quickly and accurately.
• Patience and understanding of all staff, including the intermediary company dealing with the patient.
• Turkey offers holiday opportunities with its natural and historical beauties.
• Easy transportation.
• Diagnosis, treatment, accommodation, eating, drinking, dressing, and holiday needs can be met at affordable prices.

Such situations are shown among the reasons for preference. We can see that patients and relatives of patients who want to come to Turkey are doing research on Pancreatic Diseases Treatment Prices in Turkey. However, it would not be correct to give clear price information at this stage. Many factors such as the type of disease, stage, diagnosis process, treatment process, and stay in Türkiye affect the price issue. If you want to get more detailed price information, you can contact us. In addition, if you come to Turkey for treatment through us, we can facilitate your visa application process with the invitation letter sent by us to the consulate.