Pancreatic Cancer - Infection of the Pancreas and Coconut Oil:
Pancreatic cancer affects the pancreas. This is a gland
situated in the back of the upper stomach near the backbone. Two of the
pancreas's several functions are hormone and pancreatic juice production. Cells
become pancreatic cancerous when the control mechanisms that direct cell growth
malfunction, leading to an unrestraint division of cells. Uncontrollably growth
continues until the cells develop into a malignant tumor.
It is difficult to identify pancreatic cancer in its early
stages. Typically, it is only in the later stages that it causes weightiness in
the stomach and pain is experienced. Pancreatic cancer symptoms are often
non-specific, may be variable and characterize a number of potential problems
as well as pancreatic cancer. Itching, jaundice, pale bowel movements and dark
urine routinely indicate the growth of pancreatic cancer. Pain may present, in
the upper abdominal area spreading to the middle of the back, if the tumor is
progressive. Fatigue, dwindling energy, no appetite and weight loss are also
noticed. A good indicator of endocrine tumors is the secretion of pancreatic
polypeptide. An initial symptom of pancreatic cancer can be blood clots.
Pancreatic cancer is usually classified into stages, which
indicate the degree of the cancer. These are node, tumor and metastases and
into further into size and operability. Stage 4 metastatic pancreatic cancer is
where the disease has spread to a distant organ such as the liver and is
inoperable. All stages can be treated but only stages 1 and 2 are operable.
Other typical pancreatic cancer treatment includes
chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and several different types of vaccine,
various options for pain relief and a supportive care system. Another option
for individuals with pancreatic cancer is to take part in research studies
(pancreatic cancer clinical trials) to try out new treatment before they are
used on others. New pancreatic cancer drug trials offer hope for better
pancreatic cancer survival rates.
A disease of the pancreas, acute pancreatitis is an
inflammation of the pancreas, which comes on all of a sudden, lasts for a short
time and usually gets better. This is associated with gallstones or excessive
alcohol use. Abstinence, from alcohol and from the eating of large meals, will
be advised and preventive measures will be taken to avoid future attacks
Chronic pancreatitis, another disease of the pancreas, is
different in the way that it does not resolve itself. Pain and scarring of the
pancreas occurs when digestive enzymes attack causing injury to the pancreas
and nearby tissues. One attack of acute pancreatitis may set of chronic
pancreatitis but it is more usually mainly years of alcohol abuse. A diet that
is low in fat and high in carbohydrates will be recommended.
By now, you are probably wondering why coconut oil was
mentioned in the title. Well this is because it had many significant
nutritional and medical uses and is recommended for those with digestive
problems. The reason for this is coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty
triglycerides, which are quickly digested. This means that pancreatic enzymes
are not needed because at the time they enter the intestinal tract they are
already broken down into fatty acids. These are absorbed into the portal vein
immediately and sent directly to the liver where they are used to produce
energy. This means they don't circulate in the bloodstream in the level that
other fats do. Consequently, there is no fat to amass in fat cells or artery
walls. The fatty acids produce only energy not body fat or arterial plaque.
Coconut oil provides a quick and easy source of nutrition
because of it is easily digested and aids assimilation of other nutrients. For
this reason it has been recommended in the treatment of malnutrition (which can
be a problem in a person suffering from pancreatic cancer). Coconut oil
can help with fatigue and a whole range of conditions because its antimicrobial
effects defeat organisms in the body, which may be draining the body's strength
and causative to the condition.
