EPI is a condition that sometimes can be overlooked2
Primary care doctors may be able to diagnose EPI and provide treatment options. However, in some cases, they refer people to a specialist—usually a gastroenterologist. If you think you might have EPI, you can help your doctor by providing as much information as possible about what you’re experiencing.
How EPI is diagnosed
Your doctor may be able to diagnose EPI based on your medical history and symptoms. If your doctor decides to use a test to confirm a diagnosis of EPI, there are several different types of tests that can be performed, some of which use stool samples.
How EPI is managed
Pancreatic
- PERTs help when your
pancreas isn't working right. Enzyme
- Your body needs enzymes
to digest food. Replacement
- PERTs give your body the
enzymes it's missing. Therapy
- This is a medicine you take
every time you eat.
In addition to PERTs, it’s important to adopt healthy habits, which can include eating a well-balanced diet, getting enough physical activity, taking vitamin and mineral supplements, limiting alcohol intake, and quitting cigarette smoking. Your doctor may prescribe vitamin supplements since EPI can make it hard to absorb vitamins from food—specifically fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K).3
enzyme
replacement
therapy (PERT)
lifestyle
modifications
including a nutritionally well-
balanced diet, abstaining from
alcohol, and smoking cessation
supplements
supplements, including
fat-soluble vitamins
A, D, E, and K
If you’ve been diagnosed with EPI, the good news is that it is a manageable condition. To help treat your EPI, your doctor may prescribe PERTs. PERTs contain enzymes that your body may be missing, to help you break down the food you eat. PERTs are the standard of care for EPI.3
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