Chronic pancreatitis develops over several years after many attacks of acute pancreatitis and may cause you to lose the ability to secrete the enzymes your body needs to digest foods. Pancreatic insufficiency is a common cause of chronic pancreatitis.
Acute Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is caused by excessive alcohol consumption and gallstones, as well as viral and bacterial infections, drugs, blockage of the pancreatic duct, trauma or surgery to the abdomen, elevated calcium levels or very high triglyceride levels.
EPI Treatment
Treatment for pancreatic insufficiency includes dietary and lifestyle changes, and vitamin supplements. Consuming a low-fat diet is recommended to help prevent the steatorrhea that often accompanies pancreatic insufficiency.
Additionally, because alcoholism is one of the main causes of pancreatitis, it is recommended that you abstain from drinking. Since smoking increases the risk of pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis, quitting is essential.
Part of the course of treatment also may be to replace digestive enzymes, using supplements made from a pig pancreas, according to Peace Health. Other treatments include taking pain-relieving medications or NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), or narcotic painkillers if the pain is severe enough.
How To Prevent EPI
According to experts, adding enzymes to your meals, taking antioxidants, eating a low-fat diet and getting routine checkups may help prevent pancreatic insufficiency.
EPI 101 was originally published on blackdoctor.org
