100 Grapevine Hwy Hurst TX 76054

Pancreas Divisum

Pancreas Divisum in Hurst, TX

If you’ve been diagnosed with acute or chronic pancreatitis and struggle with abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting you may have pancreas divisum (Latin for divided pancreas), a rare congenital birth defect.

While this condition is often painless, some people do experience symptoms and require treatment. If left untreated, this condition can cause painful complications. Rarely, it can be fatal.

To speak with a pancreas divisum specialist today in Hurst, call (817) 203-2760 or contact The New You Medical & Infusion Clinic online.

What are the symptoms of pancreas divisum?

Most people who have this condition experience mild or no symptoms. Many people’s condition isn’t discovered until another medical concern reveals the condition in an x-ray or CT scan, or when their body is autopsied after death. It’s often discovered the first time a patient experiences pancreatitis , which is inflammation of the pancreas.

However, when symptoms do occur, they’re typically painful and can cause dangerous complications.

Symptoms include:

  • abdominal pain in the location of the pancreas
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • acute or chronic pancreatitis

These symptoms are commonly mistaken for those of another condition, such as gallstones , ulcerative-colitis , or appendicitis .

Medical science isn’t sure why pancreas divisum causes these symptoms. It’s widely believed that the minor papilla is too narrow to effectively drain digestive juices from the dorsal part of the pancreas, causing a backup of those juices and raising the pressure in the minor duct that causes abdominal pain. Research into this condition is ongoing.

What causes pancreas divisum?

Pancreas divisum is the most common congenital defect affecting the pancreas – it’s acquired in the early stages of fetal development.

A human embryo begins life with a pancreas separated into two parts, each with its own duct: the ventral and the dorsal. During normal development these ducts fuse into one main pancreatic duct, which then joins the bile duct to form a common bile and pancreatic duct. This drains into the duodenum.

In affected people, these two ducts do not fuse together. This causes their pancreas to retain its two-duct formation. The ventral duct drains into the major papilla, while the dorsal drains into a separate minor papilla.

A huge number of factors can cause this congenital birth defect. The most common include:

  • using tobacco during pregnancy
  • drinking alcohol during pregnancy
  • using illicit drugs during pregnancy (including caffeine)
  • having a concomitant genetic condition like Down syndrome
  • genetic predisposition for the condition

Diagnosing pancreas divisum

In many people, this condition causes no symptoms and is only diagnosed when another medical condition arises, such as pancreatitis or another condition that requires abdominal x-ray or CT imaging. In some people, the condition is never diagnosed.

While CT and x-ray imaging can reveal the divided pancreas, the most effective diagnostic method is endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), which shows the presence of two draining pancreas ducts.

Your provider will place an endoscope into your throat and carefully insert it into your digestive tract. A contrast dye is then applied so your provider can observe the path of the dye through your pancreatic ducts. Ultrasound images appear on a monitor, giving your provider a clear image of what’s happening in your digestive tract.

However, this diagnostic tool can sometimes cause pancreatitis, so many providers choose to use endoscopic ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI, which can provide clear images of your digestive tract without causing pancreatitis.

Treating pancreas divisum

When pancreas divisum presents no symptoms, no treatment is necessary—this is the case in most patients with the condition. However, in patients with severe abdominal pain or severe, chronic pancreatitis, surgery may help correct the problem.

These treatments include:

  • sphincterotomy: widening the minor papilla opening
  • stent: tubular support inserted surgically to remove obstruction

Lifestyle measures that can minimize or eliminate symptoms include:

  • eat a healthy, low-fat diet: plenty of fresh veggies, whole grains, and fresh fruit; no more than 20g of fat per day; avoid fatty or fried foods
  • avoid alcohol: dehydration can cause pancreas flare-ups, so avoid alcohol or carefully limit your alcohol intake, and drink plenty of water (up to 12 glasses per day)

Foods that promote pancreas health include:

  • cruciferous veggies: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage are full of antioxidants that promote strong immune function and may protect you from pancreatic tumors
  • lemons, limes, and kiwi: encourages the release of digestive enzymes from your pancreas
  • English marigold: also called calendula, it has anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties and may slow or stop pancreatic cancer cells from forming
  • licorice: the root, not the candy, contains anti-inflammatories that can prevent pancreatitis or reduce pancreatitis pain
  • goldenseal: can lower blood sugar levels and generally improve pancreas function by stimulating pancreatic beta cells; may also benefit your colon and spleen
  • horsetail: rich in silica, it may help heal and rebuild damaged tissue; may stimulate anti-diabetic compounds and help regenerate the pancreas
  • haritaki: may prevent the growth of pancreatic tumors and can lower blood sugar levels
  • oregano: full of antioxidants and may help manage hyperglycemia
  • dandelion: has powerful antioxidant properties that may help regenerate damaged pancreas tissues
  • gentian: stimulates the gallbladder and the mucous membranes of the stomach and pancreas, increasing secretion of pancreatic juices, stomach acid, bile, and other fluids that promote healthy digestion
  • olive leaves: detoxifies the blood and prevent free radical damage to your pancreas; its oleuropein is a strong anti-inflammatory in the pancreas that can reduce pancreatitis swelling and kill free radicals that can damage your pancreas
  • garlic: lowers your blood sugar and helps your pancreas produce insulin

Your medical provider can offer you more detailed information about following a specific diet and living a pancreas-conscious lifestyle.

Request your appointment now

Though pancreas divisum often doesn’t cause symptoms, it can cause pain and other unpleasant or potentially dangerous situations in some cases. If you have the symptoms of this condition or you’d like to discover how to better manage it, speak with a specialist today in Hurst by calling (817) 203-2760 or contact The New You Medical & Infusion Clinic online.

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The New You Medical & Infusion Clinic
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Address

100 Grapevine Hwy
Hurst, TX 76054
(817) 203-2760
https://www.newyoumedclinic.com/

Hours

Mon: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tue: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wed: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thu: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Fri: Closed
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed

Areas We Service:

Tarrant County, TX, DFW, TX, Las Colinas, TX, Carrollton, TX, Dallas, TX, Irving, TX, Richardson, TX, Sunnyvale, TX, Frisco, TX, Roanoke, TX, Weatherford, TX, Arlington, TX, Bedford, TX, Colleyville, TX, Euless, TX, Fort Worth, TX, Grapevine, TX, Haltom City, TX, Keller, TX, North Richland Hills, TX, Southlake, TX, Watauga, TX