Pancreatic Cancer - Disease 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 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.