Diabetes can be hard on many organs in the body, but the organ most affected is generally considered to be the pancreas. In both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, the pancreas has trouble producing or utilizing the hormone insulin properly, which leads to high blood sugar levels. Over time, high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and nerves throughout the body and put strain on organs like the kidneys, heart, eyes, and more.
How does diabetes affect the pancreas?
The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach that produces enzymes and hormones that help digest food. One of the main hormones made by the pancreas is insulin. Insulin allows cells throughout the body to take up glucose from the bloodstream and use it for energy.
In type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This means the pancreas can no longer produce insulin at all, leading to a complete deficiency. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas still makes insulin but the body becomes resistant to its effects. The beta cells in the pancreas try to produce more insulin to compensate but eventually get worn out and are no longer able to secrete enough insulin to overcome the insulin resistance.
Without enough insulin, glucose from carbohydrates cannot get into the cells to be used for energy. This causes high blood sugar levels. The persistently high blood sugar in diabetes can damage the remaining insulin-producing cells in the pancreas over time. This is why both type 1 and type 2 diabetes typically progress and get worse if not treated properly – the already impaired pancreas is put under more and more stress.
How do high blood sugars strain the pancreas?
High blood sugars create more work for the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. In type 1 diabetes, any remaining beta cells have to work extra hard to try to produce more insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the resistant cells in the body fail to respond to normal amounts of insulin, so the pancreas has to put out 2-3 times more insulin to try to overcome the resistance.
This added burden on the pancreas stresses the beta cells and causes them to eventually become damaged and die off. As more beta cells are lost, insulin production decreases. With less insulin available, blood sugars rise even higher, continuing the cycle.
Experts think prolonged high blood sugars may also cause the pancreas to slow down production of digestive enzymes as well. This could impair the absorption of nutrients from food.
How can diabetes complications harm the pancreas?
The chronic high blood sugars of uncontrolled diabetes don’t just directly strain the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. They can also indirectly damage the pancreas through other diabetes complications:
- Diabetic ketoacidosis – In type 1 diabetes, a severe lack of insulin causes the body to start burning fats for energy instead of glucose. This leads to the production of blood acids called ketones. High levels of ketones make the blood acidic and poisonous, which can be fatal if untreated. Diabetic ketoacidosis causes severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances that can damage tissues, including the pancreas.
- Hardening of blood vessels (atherosclerosis) – Diabetes dramatically accelerates the process of atherosclerosis, where high blood sugars damage the endothelial cells lining the blood vessels. This causes fatty plaques to build up inside the vessels and block normal blood flow. The blood supply to the pancreas relies on very small vessels that are vulnerable to blockages.
- Nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy) – Uncontrolled diabetes can damage the nerves throughout the body, including the vagus nerve that controls some pancreatic functions. Disruption of the vagal nerve signals may impair pancreatic secretions.
Keeping blood sugars well-managed can help prevent these complications and reduce secondary damage to the pancreas.
Can diabetes cause other pancreatic problems?
In addition to straining its insulin-producing cells, diabetes also increases the risk for other disorders of the pancreas:
- Pancreatitis – This is inflammation of the pancreas that causes severe abdominal pain. It can be triggered by gallstones blocking pancreatic ducts or excessive alcohol use. Diabetes is one of the risk factors for developing pancreatitis.
- Pancreatic cancer – Long-standing diabetes slightly increases the risk of certain cancers, including pancreatic cancer. However, the link between diabetes and pancreatic cancer risk is complex, and more research is needed.
Controlling blood sugars and avoiding excess alcohol can help minimize the potential for these conditions.
Signs of pancreatic strain
Since the pancreas is located deep in the abdomen, early signs of pancreatic strain can be very subtle. Symptoms may include:
- Feeling nauseated after eating fatty or heavy meals
- Unintended weight loss
- Loose, oily stools from poor absorption of fats and nutrients
- Pain in the upper abdomen that may radiate to the back
- Increasing blood sugar levels despite medications and lifestyle efforts
More severe symptoms associated with advanced pancreatic disease may include jaundice (yellowing skin), dark urine, and clay-colored stools.
Blood and imaging tests can help confirm if abnormal pancreas function is causing symptoms.
Protecting the pancreas
To minimize the impact of diabetes on the pancreas, it is essential to maintain good control of blood sugars. This involves:
- Checking blood sugars regularly and keeping them in target ranges as much as possible
- Using diabetes medications as prescribed to help lower blood sugars
- Eating a healthy diet focused on nutrient-dense whole foods
- Exercising regularly to help improve insulin sensitivity
- Avoiding or limiting alcohol intake
- Not smoking and maintaining a healthy body weight
Diabetes education and creating a sustainable self-care plan are also key to preserving pancreatic function for as long as possible.
Catching diabetes complications early through regular medical care can also prevent ongoing injury to the pancreas and other organs and tissues affected by diabetes.
The takeaway
Diabetes takes a major toll on the pancreas by forcing its insulin-producing cells to overwork and eventually become damaged and die off. This leads to worsening blood sugar control and the potential for complications throughout the body. Taking steps to keep blood sugars well-managed can reduce the burden on the pancreas and delay its decline in function. This is critical for preserving both short-term and long-term health with diabetes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the pancreas the only organ affected by diabetes?
No, diabetes impacts many organs over time, not just the pancreas. Other organs that can be damaged include the kidneys, eyes, nerves, heart and blood vessels.
Does type 2 diabetes destroy the pancreas?
Type 2 diabetes can eventually destroy insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. However, type 1 diabetes has a much more direct autoimmune destruction of beta cells.
Can you live without a pancreas?
It is possible to live without a pancreas but it requires extensive management. You would need to take insulin and enzyme replacement therapy. Removing the entire pancreas typically only occurs with severe pancreatic disease.
What are the 3 main functions of the pancreas?
The three main functions of the pancreas are:
- Production of digestive enzymes that help digestion
- Production of bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid
- Production of hormones, especially insulin, that regulate blood sugar
Does high blood sugar cause pancreatitis?
High blood sugar alone does not directly cause pancreatitis. However, uncontrolled diabetes is a risk factor for developing pancreatitis. Hyperglycemia contributes to diabetic complications that can potentially impair pancreatic function.
Conclusion
In summary, diabetes takes a heavy toll on the pancreas by forcing its insulin-secreting cells to eventually burn out. This leads to worsening hyperglycemia and greater risk of acute and chronic complications affecting many body systems. Diligent blood sugar management and healthy lifestyle habits are key to preserving pancreatic function and limiting complications in people with diabetes.