7. Diarrhea: The Unruly Conveyor Belt
Diarrhea is often trivialized as a consequence of questionable food choices or a brief viral infection. But when linked with IPMN, the mechanics are different; it’s as if your digestive system becomes an unruly conveyor belt, hastening to move its contents along with little care for regulation.
Why is this happening? Let’s take an unusual perspective on this. The pancreas not only secretes digestive enzymes but also hormones like insulin, which impact gut mobility. When an IPMN tumor hampers pancreatic function, it inadvertently alters the pace at which your intestines move food, turning it into a rushing torrent rather than a gentle stream.
The problem intensifies when the watery stools become chronic, with the urgency not relenting for days. While one might assume that diarrhea would always result in weight loss, especially considering how it affects nutrient absorption, this isn’t always the case. In some instances, there may be an insidious rise in weight due to water retention.(7)
