Understanding Pancreatic Health: Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Nausea After Fatty Meals: A Sign of Pancreatic Damage?

Have you ever felt particularly nauseous after indulging in a burger or some pork belly? This discomfort could be more than just indigestion. It might indicate pancreatic damage. The pancreas is buried deep within your abdomen, making it difficult to detect issues early. So, what are the signs that your pancreas might be in trouble?

Symptoms Following Fatty Food Consumption

Most diseases affecting the pancreas impair the body’s ability to digest fats. The pancreas produces enzymes that help break down fats. When it’s damaged, consuming fatty foods like hamburgers, pizza, avocados, or nuts can cause nausea. Additionally, undigested fats can lead to fatty stools, causing diarrhea. In cases of pancreatitis, the stool might even appear whitish due to the unprocessed fat content.

Abdominal Pain

Unexplained abdominal pain can be a red flag for pancreatic cancer or acute pancreatitis. This is one of the most common symptoms, varying in intensity and location. Because the pancreas is close to the back, pain might also radiate to the back. If the pain is sudden, severe, and centered in the abdomen, it could be acute pancreatitis. Signs of pancreatic cancer include persistent abdominal pain for weeks, indigestion, loss of appetite, difficulty eating due to pain, and weight loss.

Sudden Weight Loss

Unexpected weight loss, without any dietary changes, is concerning. Weight loss may result from pancreatic cancer-induced loss of appetite and pain-related eating difficulties. If you’ve lost over 5% of your usual body weight in six months or 4.5 kg without any apparent reason, you should see a doctor to determine the cause.

Onset of Diabetes

A sudden onset of diabetes can also signal pancreatic issues. Diabetes can both result from and contribute to pancreatic cancer. The pancreas houses beta cells, which produce insulin to regulate blood sugar. Damage to the pancreas from conditions like pancreatitis or cancer destroys these cells, leading to diabetes. Approximately 90% of chronic pancreatitis patients develop diabetes as their condition progresses. If you’re over 50, not obese, have no family history of diabetes, and suddenly develop or have worsening diabetes, screening for pancreatic cancer is crucial.