EPI often occurs as a result of chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic surgery, or other pancreatic diseases. Because the pancreas cannot supply enough enzymes to the intestine, fats and other nutrients are not properly absorbed, causing weight loss, vitamin deficiencies, and characteristic changes in stool. Treatment with pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) can significantly improve digestion and nutritional status.
Symptoms are mainly related to poor digestion—oily, difficult-to-flush stools, bloating, gas, and weight loss despite eating.
Call the office if you suspect EPI due to chronic digestive symptoms and weight loss, or if you already have EPI and your symptoms are not improving with enzyme therapy.
Seek emergency care for severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, or signs of severe malnutrition (extreme weakness, fainting), especially if combined with other serious symptoms.
Evaluation combines a history of symptoms and risk factors, stool tests for fat or enzyme markers, blood tests for nutritional deficiencies, and imaging to look at the pancreas.
The main treatment is pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) taken with meals and snacks, combined with nutrition guidance and management of the underlying pancreatic condition.
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