Understanding the Pancreas in Grand Rapids, Michigan

The pancreas is a vital organ located deep in the upper abdomen, tucked behind the stomach. It is shaped somewhat like a tadpole—wider at one end and slender at the other—and is about 25 cm (10 inches) long. The pancreas has two major jobs:

  • It helps digest food (exocrine function)
  • It makes hormones, including insulin, that regulate blood sugar (endocrine function)

Pancreatic health is especially important in Grand Rapids, where diabetes and digestive disorders are common concerns managed by major health systems such as Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health.

How the Pancreas Helps With Digestion (Exocrine Pancreas)

After food is partially digested in your stomach, it moves into the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. The pancreas releases digestive juices through a small duct that connects to the duodenum.

These pancreatic juices contain enzymes that help break down:

  • Proteins – mainly by the enzyme trypsin
  • Carbohydrates – by amylase
  • Fats – by lipase

These enzymes are produced in an inactive form and only become active once they reach the duodenum. This safety mechanism helps prevent the pancreas from “digesting itself.”

The exocrine pancreas also makes sodium bicarbonate, which neutralizes stomach acid as food enters the small intestine. This protects the intestinal lining and creates the right environment for digestive enzymes to work.

When the exocrine pancreas is not working properly, people may experience:

  • Digestive upset
  • Foul-smelling, fatty stools (often pale, greasy, and difficult to flush)
  • Bloating and gas
  • Unintentional weight loss

Many Grand Rapids gastroenterologists and digestive health clinics can evaluate these symptoms with imaging and stool tests.

How the Pancreas Controls Blood Sugar (Endocrine Pancreas)

The endocrine part of the pancreas is made up of small clusters of cells called the islets of Langerhans. These cells produce hormones that control blood sugar, including:

  • Insulin – lowers blood sugar by helping sugar (glucose) move from the bloodstream into cells for energy
  • Glucagon – raises blood sugar by telling the liver to release stored glucose

When blood sugar levels rise (for example, after a meal), the pancreas releases insulin. When blood sugar levels fall (such as between meals or overnight), the pancreas releases glucagon.

If the endocrine pancreas is not working correctly, it can lead to diabetes, a major health issue in Michigan and the Grand Rapids area. Over time, uncontrolled high blood sugar can cause:

  • Heart disease and increased risk of heart attack and stroke
  • Kidney damage
  • Eye damage and vision problems
  • Nerve damage (neuropathy)

Local diabetes care is available through programs at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, and community resources supported by the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health.

Common Symptoms of Pancreatic Problems

Symptoms of pancreatic disease vary by cause, but may include:

  • Pain in the upper abdomen (often spreading to the back)
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Bloating and digestive upset
  • Passing foul-smelling, fatty stools
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

If you notice these symptoms—especially severe abdominal pain or jaundice—you should seek urgent medical care at an emergency department or urgent care center in Grand Rapids.

Acute Pancreatitis: A Medical Emergency

Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas and is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment, often in the hospital.

In acute pancreatitis:

  • Digestive enzymes become active inside the pancreas instead of the intestine
  • These enzymes irritate and “burn” the pancreatic tissue
  • Enzymes may leak into the abdominal cavity, causing severe inflammation and pain

Common Causes of Acute Pancreatitis

The most common causes are:

  • Heavy alcohol use (alcohol-induced pancreatitis)
  • Gallstones blocking the bile or pancreatic ducts (gallstone pancreatitis)

Other potential triggers include:

  • Certain medications
  • Viral infections such as mumps
  • Injury or trauma to the pancreas
  • Very high blood triglyceride levels
  • Rare genetic conditions

People with acute pancreatitis in Grand Rapids are typically treated at local hospitals such as Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids, often in intensive care units if the condition is severe.

Symptoms of Acute Pancreatitis

  • Sudden, severe upper abdominal pain (may radiate to the back)
  • Pain that may worsen after eating
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever
  • Tenderness in the abdomen

This condition is an emergency. If you experience these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department in Grand Rapids.

Chronic Pancreatitis: Ongoing Inflammation

Chronic pancreatitis is long-term, recurring inflammation of the pancreas. Over time, the ongoing inflammation damages the gland and reduces its ability to produce digestive enzymes and hormones.

Risk Factors for Chronic Pancreatitis

  • Long-term heavy alcohol use (alcoholics are at significantly increased risk)
  • Repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis
  • Smoking
  • Certain genetic conditions
  • Blockages in the pancreatic duct

Symptoms of Chronic Pancreatitis

  • Recurrent or constant upper abdominal pain
  • Digestive problems
  • Fatty, foul-smelling stools
  • Weight loss
  • Possible development of diabetes as the endocrine pancreas becomes damaged

Treatment often includes:

  • Eliminating alcohol completely
  • Reducing dietary fats
  • Taking pancreatic enzyme tablets with meals to help digestion
  • Pain management
  • Treating diabetes if it develops (often with insulin)

Gastroenterology and pain management specialists in Grand Rapids can provide long-term care and support for chronic pancreatitis.

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer often starts in the cells lining the pancreatic ducts and can grow into the body of the pancreas and surrounding structures.

How Pancreatic Cancer Spreads

  • It may invade nearby blood vessels and nerves
  • It can spread to other abdominal organs
  • It often spreads through the lymphatic system to distant parts of the body

Risk Factors for Pancreatic Cancer

While the exact cause is unknown, risk factors may include:

  • Age over 65
  • Cigarette smoking
  • Long-standing chronic pancreatitis
  • Family history of pancreatic cancer
  • Obesity and certain dietary patterns

Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

Symptoms can be vague at first and may include:

  • Upper abdominal or back pain
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and digestive upset
  • Pale, greasy stools and dark urine

Treatment options in Grand Rapids—often coordinated through major cancer centers at Spectrum Health or Trinity Health—may include:

  • Surgery to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Palliative care to manage symptoms and improve quality of life

Diabetes and the Pancreas

When the islets of Langerhans cannot produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot use insulin properly, diabetes develops. In some people:

  • Insulin production is too low
  • In others, the body is resistant to insulin even though it is produced

Both situations lead to high blood sugar levels, which, over time, increase the risk of:

  • Heart attack and stroke
  • Kidney disease
  • Eye damage and vision loss
  • Nerve damage (numbness, tingling, pain)
  • Poor wound healing

Managing Diabetes in Grand Rapids

Treatment may include:

  • A carefully controlled diet
  • Regular physical activity (indoor options are especially important during West Michigan’s cold winters)
  • Oral medications
  • Insulin injections or insulin pump therapy

Local diabetes education and management programs are available through:

  • Spectrum Health and Trinity Health diabetes centers
  • Metro Health and Mercy Health clinics
  • Community programs supported by the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health

How Pancreatic Problems Are Diagnosed

Healthcare providers in Grand Rapids use a variety of tests to diagnose pancreatic conditions, including:

General Tests

  • Blood tests – to check pancreatic enzymes, liver function, blood sugar, and inflammation
  • Physical examination
  • Standard x-rays – sometimes used to look for complications

Imaging Tests

  • Ultrasound – uses sound waves to create images of the pancreas and gallbladder
  • Computed Tomography (CT) scan – a specialized x-ray that produces detailed 3D images
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – uses magnetic fields to create detailed images
  • Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) – combines endoscopy and ultrasound for close-up views

Endoscopic Procedures

  • Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
    A thin, flexible tube (endoscope) is inserted through the mouth, down the throat, and into the small intestine. Dye is injected into the bile and pancreatic ducts, and x-rays are taken. This test can also be used to remove gallstones or place stents.

Biopsy

  • A small sample of pancreatic tissue may be taken with a needle or during surgery and examined in a laboratory to look for cancer or other diseases.

These tests are widely available through hospital systems and specialty imaging centers in the Grand Rapids area.

Treatment Options for Pancreatic Conditions

Treatment depends on the specific disorder:

Acute Pancreatitis

  • Hospitalization, often in intensive care for severe cases
  • Fasting (no food by mouth) to rest the pancreas
  • Intravenous (IV) fluids
  • Pain control
  • Treatment of the underlying cause (such as removing gallstones or treating high triglycerides)

Chronic Pancreatitis

  • Complete elimination of alcohol
  • Reducing dietary fat
  • Pancreatic enzyme supplements with meals
  • Pain management
  • Treatment of diabetes (often with insulin)
  • Lifestyle changes, including smoking cessation

Pancreatic Cancer

  • Surgery to remove the tumor when possible
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Nutritional support and symptom management
  • Palliative care services
  • Carefully planned diet and regular exercise
  • Oral medications or insulin injections
  • Regular monitoring of blood sugar and A1C levels
  • Ongoing care with a primary care provider or endocrinologist

Local Considerations in Grand Rapids, MI

Living in Grand Rapids and West Michigan can influence pancreatic and overall health:

  • Cold winters may reduce outdoor activity, increasing the risk of weight gain and insulin resistance
  • Comfort foods and high-fat diets, especially in winter, can worsen pancreatitis and diabetes
  • Smoking and heavy alcohol use—both modifiable risk factors—are linked to pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer

Local health systems and community organizations offer:

  • Smoking cessation programs
  • Alcohol and substance use treatment
  • Nutrition counseling
  • Diabetes prevention and management programs

Check with Kent County Health Department, Grand Rapids Public Health, or your local hospital for available resources.

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids

If you have symptoms of a pancreatic problem—or have been diagnosed with pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, or diabetes—consider contacting:

  • Your primary care doctor or family physician
  • A gastroenterologist (digestive health specialist)
  • An endocrinologist (hormone and diabetes specialist)
  • Cancer centers at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health
  • Community health clinics and public health programs in Kent County

For severe abdominal pain, jaundice, or vomiting, seek emergency care immediately by calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency department.

Key Points About the Pancreas

  • The pancreas has two major roles: digesting food and regulating blood sugar.
  • Digestive enzymes are activated in the intestine to prevent the enzyme trypsin from damaging the pancreas itself.
  • Symptoms of pancreatic disease can include foul-smelling, fatty stools, abdominal pain, and weight loss.
  • Acute pancreatitis is a medical emergency and requires prompt hospital treatment.
  • Long-term heavy alcohol use and smoking significantly increase the risk of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.
  • Treatment may involve lifestyle changes, medications, enzyme supplements, insulin, and sometimes surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.
  • In Grand Rapids, comprehensive pancreatic care is available through major hospital systems, specialists, and public health resources.