Start the show by clicking on the "Play" button above. Then select one of the other topics to play: Pancreatic Insufficiency, Pancreatitis or Diabetes.

Abnormal Function in Cystic Fibrosis
In CF patients, the pancreas can not do its job of getting digestive enzymes to the digestive tract. Part of the problem is that pancreatic juices become dry and thick and block the pancreatic ducts, the tiny tunnels the digestive enzymes must travel through. Though these tunnels are blocked, the pancreas continues to make enzymes. This over-production of enzymes damages the pancreas. After time, the damage leads to fibrosis, or scarring, of the pancreas then it is no longer able to produce enough enzymes to digest food properly.

Pancreatic Insufficiency
CF patients are unable to digest their food properly when their pancreas loses about 90 percent of its ability to produce digestive enzymes. This is because the body will not be able to properly absorb the nutrients it needs because the food will not be broken down correctly without these enzymes. Vitamins, such as A, B12, D, E and K, and fats are the most important nutrients that are not absorbed when a patient has pancreatic deficiency. Also, when the body cannot absorb and break down fats, the result is diarrhea, weight loss, and malnutrition. Taking additional pancreatic enzymes in pill form can help with the digestion of fats and reduce diarrhea.

Pancreatitis
When blockages occur in the pancreatic ducts, the result can be an inflammation called pancreatitis. This inflammation can cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. A patient whose pancreas functions normally tends to develop pancreatitis more commonly than those patients whose pancreas does not work correctly. The good news is that pancreatitis is not that common, occurring in less than 10 percent of patients.