Can a person live without a pancreas? & bull; hello healthy

The pancreas is an organ in the digestive system which is of course important to maintain its health so as not to experience health problems. The body of the pancreas extends from the upper left of the stomach and the head attaches to the duodenum (right side of the stomach).

The pancreas has two functions, namely exocrine and endocrine functions. The exocrine function is to produce digestive enzymes that help digest food in the intestines. Endocrine function is to produce hormones, one of which is insulin, which helps lower blood sugar in the body.

The pancreas can function properly if you take care of your health. So what if you are faced with a condition that requires you to remove your pancreas for your health? Can a person survive without a pancreas?

Can you live without the pancreas?

The answer is yes, you can live without your pancreas, either after partial or total surgical removal. Surgery to remove the entire pancreas is rarely performed. However, this may be done if you have pancreatic cancer, chronic pancreatitis, or serious pancreatic damage due to injury.

You will need to make adjustments to your life later when your pancreas has been removed. Your pancreas produces hormones that can control blood sugar and help your body digest food. After surgery, you will need to take medication to treat this function.

Life without the pancreas and the recovery process

Surgery to remove the pancreas is called a pancreatectomy. This operation can be partial, only removing the affected part of the pancreas. This operation can also remove the entire pancreas which is commonly called a total pancreatectomy. Surgical removal of the entire pancreas will also remove several other organs such as the duodenum, spleen, gallbladder, part of the bile duct, and several lymph nodes near your pancreas.

After the operation, you will be treated for a few weeks or depending on your condition. in the days after surgery, you will be on a liquid diet which is to eat liquid food. Maybe you will feel pain in the area of the surgery and it will take several months for you to do your usual activities.

People who do not have a pancreas in their body, cannot produce insulin naturally. In addition, the body's ability to absorb nutrients from food is also reduced. Not infrequently people who live without a pancreas have a high risk of developing diabetes. Therefore, he needed daily injections of insulin and digestive enzymes during his lifetime.

Your doctor may recommend eating several small meals each day to avoid spikes in blood sugar. Avoiding alcohol consumption can also help maintain long-term health.

How long can humans survive without a pancreas?

Taking appropriate medical care and following a healthy lifestyle will increase your life expectancy after surgical removal of the pancreas. One study found that the seven-year survival rate was 76 percent if someone with a non-cancerous condition such as pancreatitis had surgery. However, for people with pancreatic cancer, the seven-year survival rate is 31 percent.