Because of the high rate of infection in the lower respiratory tract, people with CF may develop a chronic cough, blood in the sputum, and often even have a collapsed lung. The cough is usually worse in the morning or after activity. People with CF also have upper respiratory tract symptoms.
People with cystic fibrosis may experience worsening of their respiratory symptoms, such as coughing with more mucus and shortness of breath. This is called an acute exacerbation and requires treatment with antibiotics. Sometimes treatment can be provided at home, but hospitalization may be needed.
The most serious and common complications of cystic fibrosis are problems with the lungs, also known as pulmonary or respiratory problems, which may include serious lung infections.
Symptoms of CF
Frequent lung infections including pneumonia or bronchitis. Wheezing or shortness of breath. Poor growth or weight gain in spite of a good appetite. Frequent greasy, bulky stools or difficulty with bowel movements.
Emotional issues, such as frustration, sadness, depression, anxiety, guilt, anger, loneliness, resentment, decreased enjoyment of pleasurable activities, social isolation, and blaming.
Research has shown that people with CF and their families have increased rates of anxiety and depression compared to the general population. People experiencing anxiety and depression have poorer adherence to therapies and more health problems.
People with chronic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, are at greater risk for developing clinical depression. When left untreated, depression can interfere with your ability to manage your CF effectively and experience a better quality of life.
There are five classes of CFTR mutations: protein production, protein processing, gating, conduction, and insufficient protein.
CF affects many different organs in the body, making people with the disease more likely to develop other health conditions including diabetes, cirrhosis (liver disease), arthritis, reflux, hypersplenism (overactive spleen), and osteoporosis.
CF mainly affects the pancreas. The pancreas secretes substances that aid digestion and help control blood sugar levels. The secretions from the pancreas also become thick and can clog the ducts of the pancreas. This may cause a decrease in the secretion of enzymes from the pancreas that normally help digest food.
For people with CF, being close to others with the disease puts them at greater risk of getting and spreading dangerous germs and bacteria. This is called cross‐infection. Not only are these dangerous germs difficult to treat, but they can also lead to worsening symptoms and faster decline in lung function.
Respiratory Signs And Symptoms Of Cystic Fibrosis
Inflamed nasal passageways and a stuffy nose. Recurrent lung infections. Breathlessness. Wheezing.
Common symptoms at the end of life include dyspnea, fatigue, anxiety, anorexia, pain, and cough (see Fast Facts #27, 199, 200). Care providers must balance benefit versus burden of disease-specific treatments such as nebulized medications, NIPPV, and chest physiotherapy.
Outlook. Cystic fibrosis tends to get worse over time and can be fatal if it leads to a serious infection or the lungs stop working properly. But people with cystic fibrosis are now living for longer because of advancements in treatment. Currently, about half of people with cystic fibrosis will live past the age of 40.
Just three decades ago, the average person with cystic fibrosis would live only to the age of 30, but now 50 years is typical, and some patients with CF live into their 80s. This means they live long enough for other health concerns to surface.
In fact, babies born with CF today are expected to live into their mid-40s and beyond. Life expectancy has improved so dramatically that there are now more adults with cystic fibrosis than children.
In CF, permanent lung damage may occur even before it can be detected by lung function tests. In CF, permanent lung damage may occur even before it can be detected by lung function tests. Starting from a young age, people with CF may experience a lung function decline of 1 to 3 percentage points each year on average.
Dietary Restrictions
As with any diet, eating foods with empty calories (such as sugar-laden drinks) is not recommended on the cystic fibrosis diet. People with CF need to eat a balanced diet with a variety of bright-colored fruits and vegetables, whole grains, whole-fat dairy products, and healthy protein.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a disease that is passed down through families. It is caused by a defective gene that makes the body produce abnormally thick and sticky fluid, called mucus. This mucus builds up in the breathing passages of the lungs and in the pancreas.
As your body's immune system tries to fight these trapped germs, your lungs can become inflamed or swollen. Infections can cause CF symptoms to get worse for a period of time, also known as flare-ups. Over time, repeated infections may even cause lung damage.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients present with a variety of symptoms, including mood and cognition deficits, in addition to classical respiratory, and autonomic issues. This suggests that brain injury, which can be examined with non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is a manifestation of this condition.
In people with cystic fibrosis, the body produces mucus that is abnormally thick and sticky. This abnormal mucus can clog the airways , leading to severe problems with breathing and bacterial infections in the lungs. These infections cause chronic coughing, wheezing, and inflammation.
Cystic fibrosis may cause mucus to clog lung airways, leading to difficulty breathing. The mucus also can trap bacteria, causing serious lung infections, including pneumonia. Additionally, it can cause the pancreas to stop producing digestive enzymes that help break down food and allow the body to absorb nutrients.