Key Takeaways
- Diarrhea can be a symptom of EPI, but diarrhea can have many other causes.
- EPI affects the pancreas’s ability to provide digestive enzymes.
- Changes in digestion can affect nutrient absorption.
- EPI may be associated with loose, greasy, or oily stools.
- Persistent digestive symptoms should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
- Nutrition education can help people better understand digestion and nutritional needs.
- Eligible patients may have access to nutrition counseling through My EPI Plan.
Can EPI Cause Diarrhea?
Diarrhea can be an uncomfortable and disruptive digestive symptom. If you’ve been diagnosed with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI), you may wonder whether the condition could be contributing to changes in your bowel habits.
Diarrhea can occur in people with EPI. EPI affects the pancreas’s ability to provide enough digestive enzymes to help break down food, which can contribute to problems with digestion and nutrient absorption.
However, diarrhea has many possible causes. Experiencing diarrhea does not necessarily mean that you have EPI.
Understanding how EPI can affect digestion may help you have more informed conversations with your healthcare team. Nutrition education can also be an important part of understanding digestive health, which is one area addressed through My EPI Plan for eligible patients.
What Is Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency?
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency occurs when the pancreas does not provide enough digestive enzymes for normal digestion.
The pancreas produces enzymes that help the body digest:
- Fats
- Proteins
- Carbohydrates
When there aren’t enough pancreatic digestive enzymes available, food may not be digested completely. This can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
EPI can occur in association with conditions including chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic cancer, and certain pancreatic or upper gastrointestinal surgeries.
Why Can EPI Cause Diarrhea?
Digestion is a complex process involving the stomach, pancreas, small intestine, liver, and other parts of the digestive system.
Pancreatic enzymes play an important role in breaking down nutrients so they can be absorbed.
When pancreatic enzyme production or delivery is insufficient, undigested nutrients can remain in the digestive tract. This can contribute to gastrointestinal symptoms, including changes in stool consistency and diarrhea.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) lists diarrhea among the possible symptoms of EPI.
If you’re experiencing persistent diarrhea, it’s important to talk with your healthcare provider rather than assuming EPI is the cause.
What Can EPI-Related Stool Changes Look Like?
People with EPI may experience changes in their bowel movements.
Possible symptoms can include:
- Loose stools
- Frequent bowel movements
- Greasy or oily stools
- Foul-smelling stools
- Changes in stool consistency
- Diarrhea
Not everyone with EPI experiences the same symptoms.
Stool changes can also occur with many other digestive conditions, which is why discussing persistent symptoms with a healthcare professional is important.
Is Diarrhea the Only Symptom of EPI?
No.
EPI can be associated with several digestive and nutritional symptoms. These may include:
- Bloating
- Abdominal discomfort
- Excessive gas
- Diarrhea
- Loose, greasy stools
- Unintended weight loss
Nutritional consequences may also occur when digestion and nutrient absorption are impaired.
Should You Change Your Diet If You Have EPI-Related Diarrhea?
It’s understandable to want to immediately eliminate foods when you’re experiencing diarrhea.
However, there isn’t a single diet that works for everyone with EPI.
Making major dietary changes without professional guidance could potentially make it more difficult to meet your nutritional needs.
Instead, discuss your symptoms and nutrition questions with your healthcare team.
A registered dietitian can provide individualized education about eating patterns, meal planning, and nutrition considerations.
For eligible patients, My EPI Plan may provide an additional opportunity to discuss nutrition questions with a registered dietitian.
Learn More About My EPI Plan
If you’re living with EPI and want additional support understanding the connection between nutrition and digestive health, explore My EPI Plan.
Eligible patients may qualify for up to 3 hours of complimentary counseling with a registered dietitian to support understanding and incorporating positive nutritional decisions into their daily routine.
Visit the My EPI Plan program page to learn more about the program, available resources, and eligibility requirements.
