What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Cystic
Fibrosis?
The symptoms of CF vary from person to person and
over time. Sometimes you will have few symptoms. Other times, your symptoms may
become more severe.
One of the first signs of cystic fibrosis (CF) that
parents may notice is that their baby's skin tastes salty when kissed or the
baby doesn't pass stool when first born.
Most of the other signs and symptoms of CF develop
later. They are related to how CF affects the respiratory, digestive, or
reproductive systems of the body.
Cystic Fibrosis
Figure A shows the
organs that cystic fibrosis can affect. Figure B shows a cross-section of a
normal airway. Figure C shows an airway affected by cystic fibrosis. The
widened airway is blocked by thick, sticky mucus containing blood and bacteria.
Respiratory System Signs and Symptoms
People who have CF have thick, sticky mucus that
builds up in their airways. This buildup of mucus makes it easier for bacteria
to grow and cause infections. Infections can block the airways and cause
frequent coughing that brings up thick sputum (spit) or mucus that's sometimes
bloody.
People who have CF tend to have lung infections
caused by unusual germs that don't respond to standard antibiotics. For
example, lung infections due to bacteria called mucoid Pseudomonas are much
more common in people who have CF. An infection caused by this bacteria may be
a sign of CF.
People who have CF have frequent bouts of sinusitis,
an infection of the air-filled spaces behind your eyes, nose, and forehead.
Frequent bouts of
bronchitis
(bron-KI-tis) and
pneumonia
(nu-MO-ne-ah) also occur. These infections can cause long-term lung damage.
As CF gets worse, you may develop more serious
complications, such as
pneumothorax
(noo-mo-THOR-aks), or collapsed lung; or
bronchiectasis
(brong-ke-EK-ta-sis).
Some people who have CF also develop nasal polyps
(growths in the nose) that may require surgery.
Digestive System Signs and Symptoms
Mucus that blocks tubes, or ducts, in your pancreas
and prevents enzymes from reaching your intestines causes most digestive system
signs and symptoms.
Without these enzymes, your intestines can't fully
absorb fats and proteins. This can cause ongoing diarrhea or bulky,
foul-smelling, greasy stools. Intestinal blockage also may occur, especially in
newborns. Too much gas or severe constipation in the intestines may cause
stomach pain and discomfort.
A hallmark of CF in children is poor weight gain and
growth. These children are unable to get enough nutrients from their food due
to the lack of enzymes to help absorb fats and proteins.
As CF gets worse, other complications may occur,
such as:
- Pancreatitis (PAN-kre-a-TI-tis). This is a
condition in which the pancreas become inflamed, which causes pain.
- Rectal prolapse. Frequent coughing or problems
passing stools may cause rectal tissue from inside you to move out of your
rectum.
- Liver disease due to inflamed or blocked bile
ducts.
- Diabetes.
- Gallstones.
Reproductive System Signs and Symptoms
Men who have CF are infertile because they're born
without a vas deferens. This is the tube that delivers sperm from the testicle
to the penis.
A woman who has CF may have a hard time getting
pregnant because of mucus blocking her cervix or other CF complications.
Other Signs, Symptoms, and Complications
Other signs and symptoms of CF are related to an
upset of the balance of minerals in your blood.
CF causes your sweat to become very salty. As a
result, your body loses large amounts of salt when you sweat. This can cause
dehydration (a condition in which your body doesn't have enough fluids),
increased heart rate, tiredness, weakness, decreased blood pressure, heat
stroke, and, rarely, death.
CF also can cause clubbing and low bone density.
Clubbing is the widening and rounding of the tips of your fingers and toes. It
develops late in CF because your lungs aren't moving enough oxygen into your
bloodstream.
Low bone density also tends to occur late in CF. It
can lead to a bone-thinning disorder called osteoporosis. |