The pancreas is a small but important organ that sits behind your stomach in the upper part of your abdomen. It produces enzymes that help you digest food, especially fats and proteins. The pancreas also makes insulin, a hormone that controls how much sugar is in your blood. When your pancreas is not doing its job, you can have serious health issues.

Some of these problems show up in your digestion, while others affect your blood sugar. Noticing certain warning signs early, you can seek medical help before more serious issues arise. Below are six signs that your pancreas might be in trouble.

1. Ongoing Upper Abdominal Pain

Constant or returning pain in the upper area of your belly is a common sign of a problem with your pancreas. This pain can spread to your back or sides and may feel worse after you eat foods with a lot of fat. Why does this happen? When you eat fatty foods, your pancreas tries to make more enzymes to help break down these fats. If your pancreas is irritated or inflamed, creating extra enzymes can cause more pain. If you notice this pain often or it does not go away, you should see your physician.

2. Nausea or Vomiting

Feeling sick to your stomach or throwing up a lot may be connected to an inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis). This organ helps break down your meals into smaller parts for your body to use. If the pancreas is inflamed, it cannot produce enough enzymes to digest food well. As a result, you might feel nauseous, especially after meals, or you might even throw up because your body cannot handle the undigested food. While getting an upset stomach once in a while might be normal, frequent nausea or vomiting should be checked by a doctor.

3. Unexplained Weight Loss

Losing weight without changing your diet or exercise can be a sign that your pancreas is not producing enough enzymes. Enzymes help pull nutrients and calories from the foods you eat. If those nutrients are not absorbed, your body might start losing weight. Another factor is insulin production. If your pancreas is damaged, you might also have blood sugar issues, which can lead to further weight changes. If you notice a big drop in your weight and cannot explain it, ask your healthcare specialist for advice.

4. Changes in Stool

Your bowel movements can tell you a lot about your health. When the pancreas fails to make enough enzymes, it often leads to greasy or pale stools that float. This is due to the high fat content in the stool, known as steatorrhea. These stools can also have a foul smell and can be hard to flush. If you notice this type of change in your stool, do not ignore it. It might be an early sign that your pancreas needs attention.

5. Jaundice or Yellowing Skin

If your skin or the whites of your eyes start to look yellow, you could have jaundice. This condition can happen for many reasons, including problems with the pancreas. Part of the pancreas lies near the common bile duct. If there is a growth in the pancreas or if it is inflamed, it might press on this duct. Bile cannot flow normally and backs up in the bloodstream, causing the yellow color in your skin and eyes. You might also see dark urine and pale stools. Itching is another symptom that can come with jaundice. If you see these signs, see a doctor right away.

6. Fluctuations in Blood Sugar Levels

Because the pancreas makes insulin, any issue with this organ can show up in your blood sugar. When the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, you may have high blood sugar, leading to symptoms like thirst, frequent urination, or tiredness. In other cases, your blood sugar might drop too low, causing dizziness, sweating, and shaky hands. If you have ups and downs in your blood sugar without a clear reason, it might be time to have your pancreas checked.

Takeaway

Your pancreas plays a key role in breaking down food and balancing blood sugar. If something goes wrong with it, you might experience upper belly pain, nausea, unexplained weight loss, stool changes, yellowing of the skin, or blood sugar swings. Any of these signs should be taken seriously, especially if they keep happening. Let your doctor know.