Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms
Cystic fibrosis is a chronic, progressive disease that can occur any time from infancy to adolescence or even adulthood. Symptoms vary from person to person and are subject to change over time. Other than the obvious sign of skin that tastes salty, most symptoms of cystic fibrosis affect the respiratory, digestive or reproductive systems of the body.
Respiratory Symptoms
A leading respiratory symptom with cystic fibrosis is thick mucus that builds up in the airways causing bacterial infections. Those infections block the airways resulting in asthma, chronic cough and wheezing that bring up the mucus or sputum.
People with cystic fibrosis tend to develop repeated lung infections caused by unusual bacteria that do not respond to typical antibiotics. Chronic sinusitis an infection of the sacs behind the nose, eyes, and forehead is common, as well as frequent occurrences of bronchitis and pneumonia, which can cause long-term damage to the lungs. Some may also develop nasal polyps or fleshy growths that may eventually require surgical removal.
Digestive Symptoms
The majority of digestive symptoms are caused by mucus that accumulates in the ducts of the pancreas and blocks enzymes from reaching the intestines. Those enzymes are essential for breaking up food in order to absorb fats and proteins. The body reacts to this loss with continuous diarrhea or oily stool with a foul odor.
Intestinal blockage is a common symptom as well as excessive gas or severe constipation causing stomach pain and discomfort.
A well-known effect of cystic fibrosis in children is limited growth and poor weight gain. This problem is due to the lack of sufficient nutrients from the food they eat without the necessary enzymes for absorption of fats and proteins.
Reproductive Symptoms
Women with cystic fibrosis have difficulty getting pregnant because of the thick mucus that blocks the cervix while men are infertile because of secretions blocking the passage of sperm.
Other Common Symptoms
Several symptoms occur from lack of mineral balance in the blood. Depletion of salt from excessive sweating may result in dehydration if the body does not have enough fluids. Increased heart rate, tiredness, weakness, lower blood pressure, and heat stroke are also common.
Well-developed cystic fibrosis causes clubbing which is widening and rounding of the fingertips and toes caused by the inability of the lungs to circulate sufficient oxygen into the bloodstream. Low bone density is another late onset symptom that can lead to osteoporosis.
Advanced Symptoms
As cystic fibrosis progresses, advanced symptoms are actually long-term damages that have progressed from the condition. Liver disease usually occurs in adults from blockage of the bile ducts and scarring in the liver. This may eventually cause gallstones. If the damaged pancreas stops producing sufficient insulin, diabetes will occur.