Did You Know!
Pancreatic Disorders Can Cause Your Stool to Become Greasy and Difficult to Flush
One surprising sign of pancreatic dysfunction involves changes in bowel movements.
A condition called exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce or deliver enough digestive enzymes to properly break down food, particularly fats.
This can cause stools to become greasy, unusually foul-smelling, loose, or difficult to flush.
Interesting fact: Pancreatic enzyme deficiencies can also prevent the body from absorbing enough vitamins A, D, E, and K. Over time, this can contribute to nutritional deficiencies and weakened bones.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases identifies chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic surgery, and certain other medical conditions as potential causes of EPI.
These stool changes can have other causes, so persistent symptoms warrant medical evaluation.
