Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) (/ɛkˌsoʊkraɪn pænˌkriːəˈtɪk ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənsi/), is a medical condition characterized by the inability of the pancreas to produce sufficient enzymes to digest food properly.

Etymology

The term "Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency" is derived from the Greek words "exo" meaning "outside", "krinein" meaning "to separate", "pankreas" meaning "all flesh", and "insufficientia" meaning "insufficiency". This refers to the pancreas' inability to adequately separate or release digestive enzymes into the digestive system.

Symptoms

Symptoms of EPI may include steatorrhea (fatty stools), weight loss, and vitamin deficiency. These symptoms are due to the body's inability to absorb nutrients from food due to the lack of pancreatic enzymes.

Causes

EPI can be caused by several conditions, including chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, and pancreatic cancer. These conditions can damage the pancreas and reduce its ability to produce enzymes.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of EPI typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. These tests may include a fecal elastase test, which measures the amount of elastase, a pancreatic enzyme, in the stool.

Treatment

Treatment for EPI typically involves pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), which involves taking pancreatic enzymes in pill form. Dietary modifications and vitamin supplements may also be recommended.

Related Terms

• Pancreas
• Enzyme
• Digestive system
• Steatorrhea
• Weight loss
• Vitamin deficiency
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Cystic fibrosis
• Pancreatic cancer
• Medical history
• Fecal elastase
• Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT)

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
• Wikipedia's article - Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

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