is it at all possible to live without your pancreas? i say no, but we have a no-it-all in our family who says you can. who's right? thanks, for any answers.
2007-07-24 12:40:57 · 7 answers · asked by aint pooh 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
I have two links that give contradictory answers: one says it's possible and the other says no. Suffice to say, it would be very difficult to live that way--life would be very fragile.
The pancreas has two very different functions. 1. It controls blood sugar. 2. It provides much of the digestive fluids used in the stomach.
Complete removal would mean the person would have severe diabetes that probably couldn't be controlled, and would be unable to properly digest food. Apparently, it's possible to treat for this, according to one of the sites below about a child born without a pancreas.
Pancreas transplants are possible. When the pancreas is removed because of cancer, they usually don't remove the entire organ.
2007-07-24 12:53:37 · answer #1 · answered by majnun99 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can live without a pancreas, however, that person would need to be on insulin as diabetes would result from removal of the pancreas. The pancreas provides the body with insulin-producing cells. Insulin is needed to bring glucose into the cells where it can be used by the body.
2007-07-24 19:54:59 · answer #2 · answered by A nurse 4 u 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can live without a pancreas BUT if you have your pancreas removed you will need to take lifelong insulin and digestive enzymes. You would be an "instant diabetic". The pancreas is an endocrine gland that produces insulin which you would need to take shots to replace. It also is an exocrine gland which releases digestive enzyme to metabolize you food.
2007-07-24 19:52:02 · answer #3 · answered by crazinurs 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You can not live without your pancreas. you can live without your spleen, GB and appendix. You can have surgery if something is wrong and have part of your pancreas removed but you still need parts of it cause it produces insulin and other digestive enzymes.
2007-07-24 19:46:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes. You can take all the enzymes the pancreas makes and live. It is tough. though.
2007-07-24 19:45:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe you need your pancreas because i think that is what produces insulin. I think that you are thinking of apendix. people get their apendixes taken out all the time and they are fine. we accually dont need them. but you do need your pancreas.
2007-07-24 19:44:52 · answer #6 · answered by Katie C 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
U JUST HAVE TO TRUST YOUR FAMILY AND GO WHAT WHAT THEY SAY
2007-07-24 19:47:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋