Understanding Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a condition that affects digestion due to an inability to break down food properly. This occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough of the enzymes needed to break down and absorb nutrients.

Enzymes speed up chemical reactions in your body. The enzymes made by your pancreas move into your small intestine, where they help break down the food you eat. When you have EPI, you don’t get the nutrition you need because your body can’t absorb fats and and minerals from foods.

Some of the causes of EPI can include:

  • Chronic pancreatitis – A condition marked by frequent inflammation of the pancreas
  • Previous surgery of your pancreas, stomach, or intestines.
  • Existence of other conditions such as Crohn’s Disease, celiac disease, Cystic fibrosis or Shwachman-Diamond syndrome

Symptoms of EPI can include:

  • Pain or tenderness in the belly
  • Bad-smelling bowel movements
  • Diarrhea
  • Gas
  • Feeling full
  • Weight loss
  • Pain in your bones

Several tests can help diagnose EPI, including: blood tests to determine if you are getting enough vitamins in your diet, fecal tests to check for the amount of fat in your bowel movements and imaging tests to see if your pancreas is inflamed.

The right diet is very important for managing EPI. A dietitian can help you choose the foods that keep your energy level up and give you the nutrition you need.  Some other tips include eating up to six small meals per day, avoiding alcohol, and taking vitamin supplements.

Apart from a healthy diet, the main treatment for EPI is pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). You take prescription pills that replace the enzymes your pancreas isn’t making. These enzymes break down your food so you can more easily digest and absorb it. You may also need to take an antacid to keep your stomach from breaking down pancreatic enzymes before they can start to work.

If you are experiencing symptms of EPI and would like to speak with a doctor at Flushing Hospital, please call our Ambulatory Care Center at 718-670-5486

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.