The pancreas plays a critical role in digestion and blood sugar control. Pancreatic diseases include inflammatory conditions (acute and chronic pancreatitis), functional issues like exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, structural problems such as pancreatic cysts or tumors, and genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis that significantly affect the pancreas. This overview page helps patients understand the major categories and points them to more detailed condition pages for specific diagnoses.
Depending on the specific disease, pancreatic problems can cause abdominal pain, difficulties with digestion, changes in stool, weight loss, or blood sugar abnormalities.
Call the office if you have persistent upper abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, oily or difficult-to-flush stools, or new blood sugar problems, especially with a personal or family history of pancreatic disease.
Seek emergency care for sudden severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, high fever, jaundice, or signs of shock (confusion, fainting, rapid heart rate).
Evaluation is tailored to the suspected condition and may include blood tests, stool tests, CT or MRI scans, endoscopic ultrasound, and other imaging to assess the pancreas and surrounding structures.
Treatment depends on the specific diagnosis and may involve lifestyle changes, medications (including enzymes or diabetes medications), endoscopic procedures, surgery, or cancer-directed therapies.
Si su seguro exige una remisión o una autorización previa, nuestra oficina de facturación hará todo lo posible por obtenerla antes de que se presten los servicios. Si decide continuar sin la autorización requerida, es posible que el seguro deniegue la cobertura. Si es usted un paciente de Medicare, es posible que se le pida que firme un Aviso Previo al Beneficiario (ABN) en el que reconozca su responsabilidad financiera en caso de que el seguro no pague. Si está afiliado a un plan de seguro privado, se le pedirá que firme un formulario de servicios no cubiertos.