Pill Popping Peanut

Yes, you read that correctly, Nathan Parker is our Pill Popping Peanut.



Nathan takes pills (enzymes) to help him gain weight. Even though he consumes more than enough calories he still has trouble gaining weight because of how Cystic Fibrosis affects his pancreas. The pancreas, which normally produces digestive enzymes, cannot deliver the enzymes that are needed to break down the protein and fat in food.

Since the proteins and fats are not digested, they are not getting absorbed into his body. Instead, these are being passed through Nathan's digestive system creating more frequent bowel movements. OK, poop, there I said it. And stinky, greasy poop too!

This is the reason why Nathan takes enzymes with his meals. The capsules contain the enzymes produces by the pancreas (lipase - for fat, protease - for protein, amylase - for carbohydrates).

The number of enzymes he takes depends on two factors:

1. How much he eats. The more he eats the more enzymes he must take.
2. How long he takes to eat. One enzyme capsule is only effective for twenty minutes.

I also must pay close attention to his poop. If it is extremely smelly and greasy then I know he probably did not take enough enzymes.

Eventually he will learn to swallow the capsules whole. But for now I open the capsules and pour the contents onto an acidic food, such as applesauce. After he eats I must check to make sure that there are no enzymes hiding in his mouth because they could irritate the oral mucosa (cause sores in his mouth).