Is There a Link Between Diabetes and Your Pancreas? Find Out!

Pancreas is a large gland located behind the stomach. It performs two main functions, that is to help in the process of digestion by releasing powerful digestive enzymes, and release the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream.

Insulin is vital to regulate glucose. Glucose, basically means the sugars in the human body. You must know that, each cell in the body needs glucose for energy.  

So, if you are thinking that is there a connection between your pancreas and diabetes? Well, yes there is!

If your pancreas does not produce the required amount of insulin or is not able to utilize the insulin effectively, then it leads to accumulation of glucose in your blood. The improper functioning of the pancreas then leads to diabetes.

Diabetes has been divided into four types, and each type is linked with the pancreas not functioning as effectively as they should. However, the improper functioning of the pancreas varies on the type of diabetes you are suffering from.

Diabetes has been divided into the following types:

• Type 1 Diabetes: In this type, the immune system of the body wrongly attacks the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas. This impairs the ability of the pancreas to secrete insulin, thus leading to Type 1 diabetes.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Type 2 Diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin. It can either mean that the pancreas is producing less than normal insulin or the body is not able to utilize the produced insulin effectively.
• Pre-diabetes: Pre-diabetes is a condition wherein the blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered as ‘diabetes’. It can again occur due to a reduced secretion of insulin or the inability of the body to utilize the insulin effectively.
• Gestational Diabetes: This type of diabetes develops only during pregnancy. This occurs primarily as the placenta, that connects the fetus with the body’s blood supply, produces hormones that impair the functioning of insulin.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is another common link between pancreas and diabetes. It is a condition, which is marked by an inflammation of the pancreatic cells. This inflammation can damage the beta cells that produce insulin, and lead to diabetes. Factors that contribute to it are poor diet, lack of exercise, presence of excessive calcium in the blood or too much alcohol consumption.

How to manage your condition?

Making a few simple lifestyle changes such as eating healthy food, avoiding smoking and exercising on regular basis can reduce the chances of suffering from both diabetes and pancreatic problems.  

So, best is to incorporate lifestyle changes if you have any of these disorders, and talk to your doctor about a suitable treatment.