The digestive system releases enzymes produced by the pancreas in a finely orchestrated manner to pump up the breakdown of meals. This facilitates the distribution of nutrients. The enzymes like lipases are known to break down fat, amylases are known to break down sugars and proteases break down the proteins.

Chronic pancreatitis: Chronic pancreatitis is one of the leading causes of EPI in adults. It presents with inflammation, followed by irreversible damage to the pancreas.

Cystic fibrosis: Cystic fibrosis is an inherited condition that mainly affects the lungs, digestive and reproductive system. The patient presents with thick, sticky mucus, seen in certain organs, most commonly in the lungs, digestive system, including the pancreas.

Other causes of EPI include

• Diabetes.
• Cancer of the pancreas.
• Surgery done for weight loss.
• Cyst.

Symptoms of EPI can be from moderate to very severe. They are:

• Difficulty in passing the stool.
• Foul smelling stool that seems oily/greasy. It is usually known as “Fatty stools”
• Sudden weight loss.
• Pain in abdomen.
• Bloating and gas.
• Diarrhea.
• Stomach pain.

When there is impaired digestion of fats, proteins, and other carbohydrates, it leads to malabsorption.

If EPI is left and treated, then it can lead to:

• Hair loss.
• Facial swelling.
• Tiredness.
• Difficulty in concentrating.
• Memory loss.
• Feeling cold.