Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (or EPI) can be mistaken for other problems

Those with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (or EPI) may not know they have it. They may have been diagnosed with an irritable bowel, gluten problems or any number of other conditions, unless they have one of the common causes. That's because the same symptoms can occur with a large number of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions.  

The Symptoms of EPI 

Those with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (or EPI) can have 

• frequent diarrhea because of the undigested food moving too quickly through the digestive tract, 
• foul-smelling, oily and difficult to flush stools, 
• feeling gassy and bloated, 
• weight loss 
• abdominal pain  

 A physician can help to sort through these symptoms to find out what is causing them and to begin treatment as soon as possible. That's important, both to help you or your child feel better but also to prevent nutritional and medical complications.