Chronic pancreatitis is the main cause of EPI in adults. As many as 8 in 10 adults with this disorder develop EPI. Pancreatitis causes inflammation and swelling of the pancreas. Over time, chronic inflammation can damage the pancreatic cells that make digestive enzymes.
- Who is most likely to get EPI?
- How do you treat EPI naturally?
- Who is at risk for EPI?
- Is EPI a serious disease?
- What foods should you avoid with EPI?
- Can you live long with EPI?
- What happens if you dont treat EPI?
- How do you get EPI?
- Can EPI go away?
- Can you live with EPI?
Who is most likely to get EPI?
1 Without these enzymes, the body cannot properly digest food and absorb nutrients, particularly fat. EPI most often occurs in people who have conditions affecting the pancreas, such as chronic pancreatitis , celiac disease, diabetes, and cystic fibrosis.
How do you treat EPI naturally?
- Get plenty of fluids. It's important to stay hydrated throughout the day, Dr. ... - Eat small, healthy meals more often. ... - Use dietary supplements. ... - Avoid a high-fiber diet. ... - Stop drinking alcohol (and quit smoking, too).
Who is at risk for EPI?
EPI starts in people who have a damaged pancreas or a health condition that keeps the organ from working as it should. You might be at risk if you have: Surgery on your stomach, pancreas, or gallbladder. A disorder that affects your pancreas, like cystic fibrosis, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, or pancreatic cancer.
Understanding Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (Epi)
Is EPI a serious disease?
Without treatment, EPI can make you malnourished -- you won't get enough important vitamins and nutrients from your diet -- and it can lead to other serious conditions, such as thinning bones (osteoporosis) or the blood condition anemia. You could have problems with walking and balance.
What foods should you avoid with EPI?
Avoid fried, creamy, or cheesy foods. You'll also want to avoid trans fat, a hydrogenated oil and particularly unhealthy fat that's often found in packaged food, says Massey, and steer clear of alcohol. While it may take some planning, it's possible to eat a healthy, satisfying diet.
Can you live long with EPI?
How long can you live with EPI? People with EPI have a greater risk for malnutrition, which can affect life expectancy. Malnutrition can result from the poor absorption of nutrients, which can be a part of EPI. Also, sometimes EPI makes it hard to eat enough because of pain or other symptoms.
What Is Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (Epi) And What Are Its Causes And Symptoms?
What happens if you dont treat EPI?
Without treatment, EPI can make you malnourished -- you won't get enough important vitamins and nutrients from your diet -- and it can lead to other serious conditions, such as thinning bones (osteoporosis) or the blood condition anemia.
How do you get EPI?
EPI often results from damage to the pancreas from diseases such as chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer or cystic fibrosis. Removal of some or all of the pancreas or surgery to other parts of the digestive tract (such as the intestines or stomach) may also cause it.
What Is Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (Epi)?
Can EPI go away?
There's no cure for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), a chronic condition characterized by an inability to digest certain nutrients, especially fat. But EPI can be managed with a type of medication called pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), which consists of enzymes that aid digestion.
Can you live with EPI?
How long can you live with EPI? People with EPI have a greater risk for malnutrition, which can affect life expectancy. Malnutrition can result from the poor absorption of nutrients, which can be a part of EPI. Also, sometimes EPI makes it hard to eat enough because of pain or other symptoms.