Health conditions linked to EPI. Certain health conditions, such as chronic pancreatitis, destroy the cells that produce pancreatic enzymes and cause scar tissue that can block enzymes from reaching the small intestine. While chronic pancreatitis in Americans is most often a result of excessive alcohol use, several other factors can cause it. In addition, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and several other chronic conditions may increase the risk of EPI. The good news. EPI is treatable. Doctors typically prescribe pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), which replenishes the digestive enzymes that the pancreas isn’t producing. Doctors may also recommend certain vitamins and other supplements and will usually stress the importance of sticking to a nutrient-rich diet, as well as stopping smoking and abstaining from alcohol.
