Enzymes are needed to digest food. If you have exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), it means you don’t have enough digestive enzymes to digest food. If you don’t have enough digestive enzymes, your body can’t use the energy or nutrients from the food you eat.
EPI can cause pain and several digestive symptoms, such as bloating, cramping, nausea, and oily stool. EPI can also result in malnutrition. The goals of EPI treatment are to reduce symptoms and help your body get enough nutrients. Here are some tips to help.