Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency?EmotionalPhysicalSocialPracticalNext in Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency GuideExocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Explained
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Table of Contents
What Is Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency?
Emotional
Physical
Social
Practical
Next in Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Guide
Whileexocrine pancreatic insufficiency(EPI) is a lifelong condition, home remedies and prescription medications can help treat uncomfortable symptoms such as bloating and abdominal pain.There are also different coping strategies to help improve your overall quality of life—emotionally, physically, and socially.
While coping strategies can work differently for each individual, the following are some general tips on how to navigate life with EPI.
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Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a rare but serious condition that occurs when the pancreas fails to produce importantdigestive enzymesto absorb nutrients from food. These enzymes include amylase (to break down carbohydrates), protease (to break down proteins), and lipase (to break down fats). Without these enzymes, the body cannot properly digest food and absorb nutrients, particularly fat.
If you’ve had EPI for a long time, you might be living with the stress of having several bowel movements in a day. You might also be dealing with the symptoms of EPI-related conditions, such ascystic fibrosis, celiac disease,chronic pancreatitis, ordiabetes.
AlthoughEPI treatmentsare important, managing your medication may be stressful too. For example, takingpancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), which is an EPI medication to replace your body’s missing digestive enzymes after each meal, may reduce the pleasures of eating.
This Is What the Pancreas Actually Does
Depressionandanxietyare common with EPI.People with chronic health conditions, such as chronic pancreatitis, are more likely to develop depression. If you’re feeling sadness or anxiety that doesn’t seem to go away, it is important to talk to your doctor or a psychologist. Treatments include professional counseling, such as psychotherapy (or “talk therapy”), and antidepressant medication.
In addition, understanding EPI and its treatment may help lessen the anxiety associated with having this condition. Be open with agastroenterologist(a doctor who specializes in the digestive system) about any uncomfortable symptoms you may be experiencing, even if you find them embarrassing. You may also consider speaking to a dietitian, who can help you create a diet plan so you can eat and live more comfortably.
EPI Diet: Smaller Portions, Various TimesEPI is associated with a number of chronic conditions, such as chronic pancreatitis, which is the most common cause of EPI in adults.To managesymptoms associated with EPIand any chronic conditions, speak to your gastroenterologist or dietitian about eating meals in small increments at various times throughout the day to prevent your pancreas from working overtime.
EPI Diet: Smaller Portions, Various Times
EPI is associated with a number of chronic conditions, such as chronic pancreatitis, which is the most common cause of EPI in adults.To managesymptoms associated with EPIand any chronic conditions, speak to your gastroenterologist or dietitian about eating meals in small increments at various times throughout the day to prevent your pancreas from working overtime.
Exercise
Aerobic exercise (physical activity that raises the heart rate, such as walking, jogging, cycling, and swimming) can lead to overall improvements in pancreatic function.In recent studies, patients who suffer from EPI along with having type 1 and type 2 diabetes showed improvements in β-cell (cells in the pancreas that produce insulin) function through moderate exercise (200 minutes per week).
Exercise also produces endorphins (hormones that trigger a positive feeling in your body), which can helpreduce stress.
In addition to exercise, drinking plenty of fluids is crucial to managing EPI, as good hydration helps the pancreas to function more properly. Drink plain water and limit sugary drinks, fruit juices, and caffeinated beverages, which can counteract the hydrating effects of water.
Depending on the severity of your EPI symptoms, be sure to discuss with your healthcare provider ideas for creating a suitable exercise and diet plan to best manage the disease.
Diet
Diet plays a large role in the management of EPI, and you should take extra care with what and how you eat.In general, you should avoid certain foods that may trigger common symptoms of EPI, which include bloating, abdominal pain, flatulence, and diarrhea. To do this, consider working with a dietitian so you can know exactly how to get proper nutrition in your meals and snacks without making your symptoms worse.
Your dietitian may recommend eating smaller meals throughout the day (to avoid bloating), avoiding too much fiber (to prevent fats from being digested), avoiding processed foods with unhealthyhydrogenated fats, and eating more lean fats (to provide your body with the fuel it needs while keeping your meals low in fat).
Avoiding Saturated and Trans FatsWhen you have EPI, avoid saturated and trans fats, as these can make your symptoms worse.In general, you shouldn’t eat more than 20 grams of saturated fat each day or more than 10 grams of saturated fat at one meal. To do this, find ways to cut it out of your diet, like eating grilled or baked foods instead of fried foods. Also, consider using cooking spray instead of oil or butter and choosing low-fat or fat-free dairy.
Avoiding Saturated and Trans Fats
When you have EPI, avoid saturated and trans fats, as these can make your symptoms worse.In general, you shouldn’t eat more than 20 grams of saturated fat each day or more than 10 grams of saturated fat at one meal. To do this, find ways to cut it out of your diet, like eating grilled or baked foods instead of fried foods. Also, consider using cooking spray instead of oil or butter and choosing low-fat or fat-free dairy.
Diet for Managing Chronic Pancreatitis
Support groupsmay provide an opportunity to talk to people who have similar conditions. The following organizations have programs that can help:
In addition to support groups, it may also help to explain how you feel and share your experiences with family members and friends who can help you navigate the ups and downs of living with EPI. It may allow them to offer the support you need.
EPI Diary
If you have EPI, you may experience unwanted flares or worsening symptoms over time. Having a plan in place on what to do when you experience any uncomfortable symptoms can reduce any unnecessary panic. To do this, consider creating a diary that you can share with your gastroenterologist or dietitian to help you better recognize and understand your triggers. These may include diet, stress, exercise, vitamin supplements, or prescription medications.
The following are some of the items you might include in your EPI diary:
How You Can Keep a Food Diary to Help Identify Food Sensitivities
Financial Planning
As EPI is a lifelong condition, you may have to be on medication permanently. In the long term, this can be expensive, particularly if you have other underlying health conditions.
You may be entitled toSocial Security benefitsthat can help offset some of the costs of EPI medications. Be sure to speak with your doctor and/or attorney to help you understand and navigate the process.
Summary
While exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a lifelong condition, home remedies and prescription medications can help treat uncomfortable symptoms such as bloating and abdominal pain.
There are also different coping strategies to help improve your overall quality of life—emotionally, physically, socially, and practically. These include communicating with a doctor or psychologist about depression and anxiety and eating smaller portions at various times of the day. They can also include joining EPI support groups or keeping a diary to track the progression of EPI symptoms, especially if they worsen over time.
A Word From Verywell
There are steps you can take to ensure a healthy and happy life with EPI. However, this is not meant to downplay the challenges your disease may present.
In addition, keep in mind that it is normal to experience emotional highs and lows while living with EPI. When this occurs, surround yourself with the appropriate support groups that can help you reduce anxiety, stress, and/or depression. It is also important to remember to eat and sleep well, as they are basic necessities to maintaining good health.
10 Top Health Benefits of Sleep
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Capurso G, Traini M, Piciucchi M, Signoretti M, Arcidiacono PG.Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: prevalence, diagnosis, and management.Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology. 2019;12:129-139. doi:10.2147/CEG.S168266Phillips ME, Hopper AD, Leeds JS, et al.Consensus for the management of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency: UK practical guidelines.BMJ Open Gastroenterology. 2021;8(1):e000643. doi:10.1136/bmjgast-2021-000643Ockenga J.Importance of nutritional management in diseases with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Journal of the International Hepato Pancreato Biliary Association. 2009;11(Suppl 3):11-15. doi:10.1111/j.1477-2574.2009.00134.xLindkvist B.Diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2013;19(42):7258-7266. doi:10.3748/wjg.v19.i42.7258Nieuwoudt S, Fealy CE, Foucher JA, et al.Functional high-intensity training improves pancreatic β-cell function in adults with type 2 diabetes.American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2017;313(3):E314-E320. doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00407.2016.Curran M, Drayson MT, Andrews RC, et al.The benefits of physical exercise for the health of the pancreatic β-cell: a review of the evidence.Experimental Physiology. 2020;105(4):579-589. doi:10.1113/EP088220
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Capurso G, Traini M, Piciucchi M, Signoretti M, Arcidiacono PG.Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: prevalence, diagnosis, and management.Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology. 2019;12:129-139. doi:10.2147/CEG.S168266Phillips ME, Hopper AD, Leeds JS, et al.Consensus for the management of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency: UK practical guidelines.BMJ Open Gastroenterology. 2021;8(1):e000643. doi:10.1136/bmjgast-2021-000643Ockenga J.Importance of nutritional management in diseases with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Journal of the International Hepato Pancreato Biliary Association. 2009;11(Suppl 3):11-15. doi:10.1111/j.1477-2574.2009.00134.xLindkvist B.Diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2013;19(42):7258-7266. doi:10.3748/wjg.v19.i42.7258Nieuwoudt S, Fealy CE, Foucher JA, et al.Functional high-intensity training improves pancreatic β-cell function in adults with type 2 diabetes.American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2017;313(3):E314-E320. doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00407.2016.Curran M, Drayson MT, Andrews RC, et al.The benefits of physical exercise for the health of the pancreatic β-cell: a review of the evidence.Experimental Physiology. 2020;105(4):579-589. doi:10.1113/EP088220
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Capurso G, Traini M, Piciucchi M, Signoretti M, Arcidiacono PG.Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: prevalence, diagnosis, and management.Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology. 2019;12:129-139. doi:10.2147/CEG.S168266Phillips ME, Hopper AD, Leeds JS, et al.Consensus for the management of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency: UK practical guidelines.BMJ Open Gastroenterology. 2021;8(1):e000643. doi:10.1136/bmjgast-2021-000643Ockenga J.Importance of nutritional management in diseases with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Journal of the International Hepato Pancreato Biliary Association. 2009;11(Suppl 3):11-15. doi:10.1111/j.1477-2574.2009.00134.xLindkvist B.Diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2013;19(42):7258-7266. doi:10.3748/wjg.v19.i42.7258Nieuwoudt S, Fealy CE, Foucher JA, et al.Functional high-intensity training improves pancreatic β-cell function in adults with type 2 diabetes.American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2017;313(3):E314-E320. doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00407.2016.Curran M, Drayson MT, Andrews RC, et al.The benefits of physical exercise for the health of the pancreatic β-cell: a review of the evidence.Experimental Physiology. 2020;105(4):579-589. doi:10.1113/EP088220
Capurso G, Traini M, Piciucchi M, Signoretti M, Arcidiacono PG.Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: prevalence, diagnosis, and management.Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology. 2019;12:129-139. doi:10.2147/CEG.S168266
Phillips ME, Hopper AD, Leeds JS, et al.Consensus for the management of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency: UK practical guidelines.BMJ Open Gastroenterology. 2021;8(1):e000643. doi:10.1136/bmjgast-2021-000643
Ockenga J.Importance of nutritional management in diseases with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Journal of the International Hepato Pancreato Biliary Association. 2009;11(Suppl 3):11-15. doi:10.1111/j.1477-2574.2009.00134.x
Lindkvist B.Diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2013;19(42):7258-7266. doi:10.3748/wjg.v19.i42.7258
Nieuwoudt S, Fealy CE, Foucher JA, et al.Functional high-intensity training improves pancreatic β-cell function in adults with type 2 diabetes.American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2017;313(3):E314-E320. doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00407.2016.
Curran M, Drayson MT, Andrews RC, et al.The benefits of physical exercise for the health of the pancreatic β-cell: a review of the evidence.Experimental Physiology. 2020;105(4):579-589. doi:10.1113/EP088220
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