An early diagnosis allows treatment to be started and long-term complications to be avoided, as well as excluding underlying pancreatic cancer.

Hospiten recommends seeing a specialist in case of symptoms such as chronic diarrhea, weight loss and changes in stool to avoid complications and to treat diseases such as pancreatic insufficiency early. This condition, if not treated in a timely manner, can lead to malnutrition and other serious conditions such as weakness, loss of muscle mass, anemia and other bone problems.

Dr. Katherine Bustamante, specialist in Digestive System at Hospiten Bellevue University Hospital, explains that this disease "occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough of the enzymes necessary to digest food, especially fats". He adds that when fats are not digested properly, they reach the intestine causing frequent, voluminous and foul-smelling diarrhea.

For this reason, Bustamante stresses the importance of paying attention to the main symptoms and seeing a specialist to avoid complications: "an early diagnosis makes it possible to start treatment and avoid long-term complications, above all to exclude an underlying pancreatic cancer that can be diagnosed and treated early".

Among the main symptoms that can alert the patient to this condition are also unexplained weight loss, abdominal bloating, excessive gas and tiredness. "The stool can become more greasy and difficult to eliminate, which is called steatorrhea," adds the specialist.

As for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic insufficiency, the professional explains that first a stool analysis is performed to measure the digestion of fats and, sometimes, specific pancreatic function tests or imaging studies of the abdomen are also performed. Once the tests have been performed, the main treatment proceeds, which, according to the specialist, focuses on the replacement of pancreatic enzymes in the form of capsules taken with meals. "These help digest food properly, reducing diarrhea and improving nutrient absorption," she states.

Similarly, it is recommended to make some changes in the diet that help to control the symptoms: "It is advisable to distribute the food in several meals a day, avoid excess fat, although not eliminate them completely and maintain a balanced diet," says the specialist.

Among other tips to include in the diet, it is also worth mentioning, according to Bustamante, that this condition generates malabsorption of nutrients, so "it is important to ensure the supply of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)".

Hospiten thus reaffirms its commitment to patients through recommendations for consultation with specialists and early diagnosis to guarantee the wellbeing of people affected by this condition, which has a major impact on people with chronic pancreatic diseases such as chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic cancer and those resulting from pancreatic or digestive surgery.

This article is an English translation generated with AI from the original Spanish content. While we review content for clarity, the information is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis or treatment.