The pancreas plays an important role in digestion in addition to its other functions. It is located in the upper abdomen and produces enzymes that are important for digestion (digestive enzymes). The digestive juice contained in these enzymes is passed on to the upper intestinal segment, the small intestine. Once there it is responsible for breaking down carbohydrates, proteins and fats from food. This process is important since these components can only be absorbed via the intestine in this form and only food that is fully digested can be passed into the lower intestinal segments. The pancreas also produces important hormones such as insulin which are involved in regulating blood sugar levels.

Disorders of the pancreas can reduce the levels of digestive enzymes produced. This means that food is only partially broken down and enters the lower intestinal segments in this form. Once there it is further broken down by putrefactive bacteria, producing gases which can in turn cause bloating, pain and a feeling of fullness. Symptoms, which may also include constipation, diarrhoea or severe upper abdominal pain, mostly occur shortly after eating. Other characteristics include pale, frothy and greasy stools (steatorrhoea) which also produce a foul, pungent odour.¹

Pancreatic weakness (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency where insufficient digestive enzymes are produced) is diagnosed by simple laboratory testing of the stool. This is then treated by enzyme substitution where the people affected take the missing digestive enzymes in the form of a tablet.¹

Sources

¹ Pankreasinsuffizienz | Gesundheitsportal (Last accessed: 18.01.2024)