What are the symptoms of pancreatic insufficiency?
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What are the symptoms of pancreatic insufficiency?
What are the symptoms of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)?
- Abdominal pain, gas and bloating.
- Constipation.
- Diarrhea.
- Fatty stools (pale, oily, foul-smelling poop that floats).
- Unexplained weight loss or failure to thrive in infants and children.
What is the main organ of the body affected by EPI?
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a condition that happens when there’s a problem with your pancreas, mainly with how well it helps you digest food. Your pancreas makes enzymes that break down the fats, proteins, and starches you eat so your body can use them.
How do you get acute pancreatitis?
Conditions that can lead to acute pancreatitis include:
- Gallstones.
- Alcoholism.
- Certain medications.
- High triglyceride levels in the blood (hypertriglyceridemia)
- High calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia), which may be caused by an overactive parathyroid gland (hyperparathyroidism)
- Pancreatic cancer.
- Abdominal surgery.
Is there a blood test for EPI?
Blood tests A complete blood count (CBC) may reveal microcytic anemia due to iron deficiency or macrocytic anemia due to vitamin B-12 or folate malabsorption. Serum iron, vitamin B-12, and folate concentrations may help establish the diagnosis of EPI.
What blood tests show pancreas function?
An amylase blood test is used to diagnose or monitor problems with your pancreas. Your doctor may order an amylase test if you have symptoms of a pancreatic disorder. Symptoms of a pancreatic disorder include: nausea and vomiting.
Do pancreas problems cause gas?
Gas Is a Very Common Symptom of Pancreatitis But flatulence that’s accompanied by swelling in the abdomen, fever, nausea, and vomiting is not. These symptoms can be warning signs of pancreatitis — inflammation of the pancreas, which assists in the digestive process. Gas is a very common symptom of pancreatitis.
What foods should you avoid with EPI?
Taking enzyme supplements allows most people with EPI to eat a diet with normal, healthy fat levels. When choosing meals, remember not all fats are created equal. Make sure you’re getting enough essential fats. Avoid highly processed foods and those high in trans fat, hydrogenated oils, and saturated fat.
Does EPI affect the liver?
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non‐alcoholic steatohepatis (NASH) may occur after pancreatic resection due to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). Patients with long‐term survival, such as after pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET) resection, are at risk of NAFLD/NASH.
How do you check for pancreas problems?
What tests do health care professionals use to diagnose pancreatitis?
- Blood tests.
- Stool tests.
- Ultrasound.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan.
- Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP).
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS link).
- Pancreatic Function Test (PFT).
What foods make EPI worse?
Does EPI cause back pain?
Cramps. Pain in the center of the stomach that radiates to the back. Loss of muscle. Muscle cramps.
