This animation describes pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) and it’s role and benefit for patients who have exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). The animation provides an overview of the role of pancreatic enzymes in food digestion, the different types of PERT medications that are currently available, and provides tips for dosing and timing of PERT. For the majority of patients taking PERT, there is a significant improvement of symptoms, nutritional status, and overall quality of life.
Understanding nutrition and the role and benefits of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy or pert the pancreas plays a pivotal role in normal food digestion pancreatic enzymes are produced by the pancreas and are essential for the digestion of fats proteins and carbohydrates exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or epi occurs when the pancreas becomes damaged and
Is no longer able to produce enough digestive enzymes to properly digest food particularly fat and protein consequently people with epi may not be absorbing important nutrients from their food that the body needs the disruption in the production and or delivery of pancreatic enzymes can be caused by pancreatic diseases pancreatic obstruction pancreatic surgery
Gastric surgery bariatric surgery for example gastric bypass with roux and why or can be secondary to other medical conditions like celiac disease inflammatory bowel disease and diabetes which may also affect the pancreas symptoms of epi may include cramping or bloating after meals large amounts of gas foul-smelling gas or stools floating stools and greasy and
Or oily light-colored stools frequent loose stools and unexplained weight loss on occasion patients may have an urge to go to the bathroom or may need to wake up from sleep to have a bowel movement if you experience some of these symptoms you should let your healthcare provider know they may prescribe pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy known as pert to help
You properly digest food and manage your symptoms epi is diagnosed based on a combination of the following patient history for example chronic pancreatitis or previous pancreatic surgery patient symptoms for example steatorrhea and laboratory tests such as a 72 hours stool collection for measurement of fat or a fecal elastase test there are several brands of
Fda-approved enzymes for pert over-the-counter varieties of pancreatic enzyme supplementation are also available but these are not standardized or well regulated the number that accompanies the brand of enzyme corresponds to the number of thousands of units of lipase amylase and protease contained in each capsule it is important to note this value so that the
Correct dose is taken current fda-approved pancreatic enzyme replacements are purified extracts from porcine pancreas the primary goals of perts are to manage symptoms and improve nutritional status these goals can be achieved with correct dosing and timing of enzymes with all meals and snacks this will in turn help you to achieve optimal nutrition from the foods
You eat even with the use of pancreatic enzymes you may continue to have some intolerance to higher fat foods particularly if you had a meal high in fat your healthcare provider may refer you to a registered dietician or nutritionist who will help you plan your daily diet and will outline the optimal usage of enzymes with the food that you eat dosing of pancreatic
Enzymes is based on your weight in kilograms the dose will be determined for you by your healthcare team some patients learn how to adjust the amount of enzymes based on their clinical symptoms and the amount of fat in the meal to be eaten some key recommendations for taking perts include take one dose of enzymes either at the beginning or middle of each meal and
Another dose at the end of each meal larger meals may require more enzymes a single dose of enzymes should also be taken with snacks if applicable time taking calcium or magnesium containing antacids or iron supplements separately from your enzymes by one to two hours acid reducing medications such as h2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors may help to improve the
Effectiveness of enzyme activity ask your health care provider about these options soon after starting the enzymes you will feel less bloating and gas after eating and your stools will begin to normalize abdominal pain frequently improves you will start to feel more energetic as you begin to absorb more of the nutrients that you eat frequently patients regain some
Weight occasionally pancreatic enzymes may not work this may happen when two little enzyme is taken or when enzymes are not taken with food this may also happen when there is intestinal bacterial overgrowth or if the patient has had previous surgery your healthcare provider can work with you to provide advice and supplementary support peart are safe medications
But some reported side effects include abdominal cramps nausea constipation or diarrhea most of the published data has shown no difference in side-effects when compared to placebo it is important to take into consideration side-effects from other medications that are being taken as these may be mis attributed to pert if your health insurance does not cover the
Cost of birth ask your healthcare team about patient assistance programs for the majority of patients taking pert there is a significant improvement of symptoms nutritional status and overall quality of life
Transcribed from video
Understanding Nutrition and the Role and Benefits of PERT By Animated Pancreas Patient
