What are the signs and symptoms of cystic fibrosis?
The symptoms of cystic fibrosis 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 cystic fibrosis develop later. They are related to how
cystic fibrosis affects the respiratory, digestive, or reproductive systems of the body.
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 cystic fibrosis 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 cystic fibrosis 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
cystic fibrosis.
An infection caused by this bacteria may be a sign of cystic fibrosis.
People who have cystic fibrosis 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 cystic fibrosis 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 cystic fibrosis 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 cystic fibrosis 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 cystic fibrosis 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.
Men who have cystic fibrosis 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 cystic fibrosis may have a hard time getting pregnant because of mucus
blocking her cervix or other cystic fibrosis complications.
Other Signs, Symptoms, and Complications
Other signs and symptoms of cystic fibrosis are related to an upset of the balance of
minerals in your blood.
Cystic fibrosis 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.
Cystic fibrosis 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 cystic
fibrosis because
your lungs aren't moving enough oxygen into your bloodstream.
Low bone density also tends to occur late in cystic fibrosis. It can lead to a
bone-thinning disorder called osteoporosis.
Diarrhea is a change is the frequency and looseness of bowel movements. Cramping, abdominal pain, and the sensation of rectal urgency are all symptoms of diarrhea. Absorbents and anti-motility medications are used to treat diarrhea.
Gallstones are stones that form when substances in the bile harden. Gallstones (formed in the gallbladder) can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. There can be just one large stone, hundreds of tiny stones, or any combination. The majority of gallstones do not cause symptoms.
Sinus infection (sinusitis) signs and symptoms include headache, fever, and facial tenderness, pressure, or pain. Treatments of sinus infections are generally with antibiotics and at times, home remedies.
Dehydration is the excessive loss of body water. There are a number of causes of dehydration including heat exposure, prolonged vigorous exercise, and some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The best way to treat dehydration is to prevent it from occurring.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
Chronic cough is a cough that does not go away and is generally a symptom of another disorder such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus infection, cigarette smoking, GERD, postnasal drip, bronchitis, pneumonia, medications, and less frequently tumors or other lung disease. Treatment of chronic cough is dependant upon the cause.
Cysts are saclike structures that can occur throughout the body and usually contain a semisolid, liquid, or gaseous substance. Infections, tumors, genetic conditions, chronic inflammatory conditions, and wear and tear can cause cysts. Though some cysts may be palpable, others may not produce any symptoms. Treatment depends upon the location and cause of the cyst.
Pancreatitis is a rare disease in which the pancreas becomes inflamed, occurring when digestive enzymes are activated and begin attacking the pancreas causing damage to the gland. There are two types of pancreatitis, acute and chronic. Most commonly caused by alcohol or gallstones, it can lead to bleeding in the gland, serious tissue damage, infection, and cysts. Enzymes and toxins may then enter the bloodstream and seriously injure organs, such as the heart, lungs, and kidney.
Stool color is generally brown. When stool color changes, often, an individual becomes concerned. The presence of the bilirubin in bile is generally responsible for stool color. Bilirubin concentration can vary bile color from light yellow to almost black in color. Changes in bilirubin can cause stool to turn green, gray, or clay-like in color. Intestinal bleeding may turn stool black, tarry, red, maroon, or smelly stool. Medication and food may also affect stool color.
Learn about osteoporosis, a condition characterized by the loss of bone density, which leads to an increased risk of bone fracture. Unless one experiences a fracture, a person may have osteoporosis for decades without knowing it. Treatment for osteoporosis may involve medications that stop bone loss and increase bone strength and bone formation, as well as quitting smoking, regular exercise, cutting back on alcohol intake, and eating a calcium- and vitamin D-rich balanced diet.
Heat stroke (heatstroke or sun stroke) is a form of hyperthermia. Heat stroke is a true medical emergency that can be fatal if not promptly and properly treated. Symptoms of heat stroke include: high body temperature, absence of sweating, with hot red or flushed dry skin, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, strange behavior, hallucinations, confusion, agitation, disorientation, seizure, and coma. A victim of heat stroke must receive immediate treatment to avoid permanent organ damage.
A pneumothorax is free air in the chest outside the lung, that causes the lung to collapse (collapsed lung). There are two types of pneumothorax, spontaneous or primary pneumothorax and secondary pneumothorax. Symptoms include sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, cough, and fatigue.
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
Infertility is the diminished ability to conceive a child. The primary cause of infertility in men is a sperm disorder. In women, the primary cause of infertility is an ovulation disorder. Most forms of infertility can be treated. Conventional infertility therapies include drugs or surgery.
Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement fluids. Warning signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, and fainting.
The time when boys and girls begin the process of sexual maturation is called puberty. During this time, both sexes undergo a series of biological changes that include a rapid increase in height, bone growth, weight increase, the growth of pubic hair, breast development and the onset of menstruation in girls, and testicle, penis, and muscle enlargement in boys.
Bronchiectasis is a condition in which the bronchial tubes of the lung become damaged. Inflammation from infection or other causes destroys the smooth muscles of the bronchial tubes. Bronchiectasis is a form of COPD (which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis). There are three primary types of bronchiectasis: 1) cylindrical bronchiectasis; 2) saccular bronchiectasis; and 3) cystic bronchiectasis. Bronchiectasis may also be acquired or congenital. The most common symptoms of bronchiectasis are recurrent cough and sputum production. There is no cure for bronchiectasis. Treatment is often geared toward controlling the symptoms of bronchiectasis.
Genetic disease is a disorder or condition caused by abnormalities in a person's genome. Types of genetic inheritance include single inheritance (for example, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, Marfan syndrome, and hemochromatosis), multifactoral inheritance, chromosome abnormalities (for example, Turner syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome), and mitochondrial inheritance (for example, epilepsy and dementia).
Pregnancy planning is important to help prevent exposure of the mother and fetus to potentially harmful medications and substances during the early days, and throughout the pregnancy. Nutritional planning, prevention of birth defects, conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease need careful monitoring. Gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and pregnancy induced hypertension are conditions that may arise during pregnancy. Immunizations, inherited disorders, exercise, air travel, intercourse, and birth control are important factors to consider when planning a pregnancy.
Intussusception is the telescoping (prolapse) of a portion of the intestine within another immediately adjacent portion of intestine. Intussusception affects children between the ages of 3 months and 6 years of age. The causes of intussusception is not clearly understood. Symptoms of intussusception include bilious vomiting, "currant jelly stool," and colicky abdominal pain. Intussusception is an emergency requires immediate attention.
The risks for developing type 2 diabetes include family history, ethnicity, birth weight, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Warning signs pointing to an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes include irregular menstruation, impaired fasting glucose, inflammatory markers, and other risks. Gestational diabetes is also a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Prevention of type 2 diabetes can be achieved through a healthy diet (Mediterranean diet), exercise, weight control, not smoking, and medication.
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked with rickets, cancer, cardiovascular disease, severe asthma in children and cognitive impairment in older adults. Causes include not ingesting enough of the vitamin over time, having limited exposure to sunlight, having dark skin, and obesity. Symptoms include bone pain and muscle weakness. Treatment for vitamin D deficiency involves obtaining more vitamin D through supplements, diet, or exposure to sunlight.
Trying to get conceive, or become pregnant can be challenging, frustrating, and an emotional rollercoaster for some couples. There are things you can do to chart progress, which may ultimately lead to a successful healthy pregnancy, or, when necessary, lead to discussions with a fertility specialist. Being aware of your menstrual cycle, charting your fertility pattern, knowing the reasons for infertility, and treating infertility are key points to discuss with your partner and physician.
Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of disease. Regular exercise can also reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. There are fitness programs that fit any age or lifestyle.
Secondhand smoke can cause illness and disease in nonsmokers. Some of these conditions include lung cancer, heart disease, respiratory illnesses such as asthma, SIDS, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Learn how you can protect yourself and your family from secondhand smoke exposure in the home environment and workplace.
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