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What's your gut telling you?

If you have any of these symptoms, it could be PEI.

Get to the bottom of unwanted gastrointestinal problems.

*Stomach pain, also known as tummy or abdominal pain, is pain that you feel anywhere from just under your ribs to your pelvis. It can also be called stomach ache or cramps.


What is PEI?

PEI, or Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency, occurs when there’s not enough pancreatic digestive enzymes to properly break down your food.1

What to look for?

Gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhoea, wind, bloating, stomach pain are common symptoms of PEI, along with tiredness, oily/smelly stools and problems maintaining weight.1

What causes PEI?

Medical conditions and procedures (eg. surgery) that damage the pancreas can result in PEI. Common causes include chronic pancreatitis and cystic fibrosis.3

Diagnosis & Treatment

A number of tests are available for your doctor to check if your symptoms are due to PEI or another gastrointestinal condition. While PEI is usually a long term condition, it can be effecively managed.1

Diet, nutrition & digestion

When you have PEI you are unable to digest food properly and therefore are unable to absorb all the nutrients you need – even if you have a healthy, well balanced diet.1

Recipes by Amie Harper

“Your recipe to healthy eating” is a collection of recipes for people who have pancreatic exocrine insufficiency associated with cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer.

For more information about PEI (pancreatic exocrine insufficiency), or if you have any questions relating to symptoms or treatment options, please speak to a healthcare professional.

  1. Smith RC, et al. Australasian guidelines for the management of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. Australasian Pancreatic Club, October 2015.
  2. Better Health Channel. Abdominal pain in adults. Last updated June 2012. Available at: https://wwvv.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/abdominal-pain-in-adults (accessed 31/5/19).
  3. Nikfarjam M, et al. Med J Aust. 2017;207(4):161-5.