PANCREAS - PANCREATITIS

[stuart13]

THE PANCREAS

[stuart13]

Info

[stuart13]

ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS AND DISEASES OF THE EXOCRINE PANCREAS

The most common diseases of the exocrine pancreas are pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Alcohol abuse and smoking are key risk factors in the epidemiology of both diseases.

In the case of alcohol abuse, the increased risk for pancreatic cancer occurs largely through the effect of alcohol abuse causing chronic forms of pancreatitis.

Smoking also contributes to the development of pancreatitis and is a major risk factor for pancreatic cancer independent of pancreatitis. Recent epidemiologic studies demonstrate that smoking accelerates the development of pancreatitis in alcoholic patients and may have an additive or multiplicative effect when combined with alcohol to cause pancreatitis.

The mechanisms underlying the effects of alcohol and smoking on the development of pancreatic diseases are incompletely understood. An important and unexplained observation is that only a small proportion of heavy drinkers/smokers develop pancreatic diseases. Although the reason for lack of development of pathology in the majority of those who drink and smoke is unknown, the hypothesis is that an adaptive unfolded protein response is sufficiently robust in most individuals to prevent pathology.

[stuart13]

Question that I should ask my pancreas specialist

[stuart13]

I do hope that Pancreas Cancer Action don't mind me posting the following as the info that it contains could be very useful for pancreatitis patients.


https://pancreaticcanceraction.org/book ... nutrition/

[maz]

A couple of links via Janey Dal, thank you Jane.

http://patient.info/health/chronic-pancreatitis-leaflet

http://patient.info/health/acute-pancreatitis-leaflet