SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Cystic fibrosis signs and symptoms vary, depending on the severity of the disease. Even in the same person, symptoms may worsen or improve as time passes. Some people may not experience symptoms until adolescence or adulthood.

People with cystic fibrosis have a higher than normal level of salt in their sweat. Parents often can taste the salt when they kiss their children. Most of the other signs and symptoms of cystic fibrosis affect the respiratory system and digestive system. However, adults diagnosed with cystic fibrosis are more likely to have atypical symptoms, such as recurring bouts of inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis), infertility and recurring pneumonia.

Respiratory signs and symptoms

The thick and sticky mucus associated with cystic fibrosis clogs the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. This can cause signs and symptoms such as:

·         A persistent cough that produces thick mucus (sputum)

·         Wheezing

·         Breathlessness

·         Exercise intolerance

·         Repeated lung infections

·         Inflamed nasal passages or a stuffy nose

Digestive signs and symptoms

The thick mucus can also block tubes that carry digestive enzymes from your pancreas to your small intestine. Without these digestive enzymes, your intestines aren't able to completely absorb the nutrients in the food you eat. The result is often:

·         Foul-smelling, greasy stools

·         Poor weight gain and growth

·         Intestinal blockage, particularly in newborns (meconium ileus)

·         Severe constipation

Frequent straining while passing stool can cause part of the rectum  the end of the large intestine  to protrude outside the anus (rectal prolapse). When this occurs in children, it may be a sign of cystic fibrosis. Parents should consult a physician knowledgeable about cystic fibrosis. Rectal prolapse in children may sometimes require surgery. Rectal prolapse in children with cystic fibrosis is less common than it was in the past, which may be due to earlier testing, diagnosis and treatment of cystic fibrosis.

Other problems

People with cystic fibrosis can also experience a number of other problems, including:

• sinusitis
• nasal polyps
• thin, weakened bones (osteoporosis) – this can occur as a result of repeated infections, poor growth, lack of physical activity and malnutrition
• swelling and pain in the joints (arthritis or arthralgia) from late childhood
• difficulty conceiving children – most men with cystic fibrosis are unable to have children naturally (although some fertility treatments may still work) because the tubes that carry sperm don't develop correctly; women can become pregnant, however
• liver problems caused by the tiny bile ducts in the liver becoming blocked by mucus
• leaking of small amounts of urine, particularly during coughing fits (stress incontinence)