Cystic fibrosis (patient information)
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What is Cystic fibrosis?
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease of the mucus and sweat glands. It affects mostly your lungs, pancreas, liver, intestines, sinuses and sex organs. CF causes your mucus to be thick and sticky. The mucus clogs the lungs, causing breathing problems and making it easy for bacteria to grow. This can lead to problems such as repeated lung infections and lung damage.
What are the symptoms of Cystic fibrosis?
Because there are more than 1,000 mutations of the CF gene, symptoms differ from person to person.
Symptoms in newborns may include:
- Delayed growth
- Failure to gain weight normally during childhood
- No bowel movements in first 24 to 48 hours of life
- Salty-tasting skin
- Belly pain from severe constipation
- Increased gas, bloating, or a belly that appears swollen (distended)
- Nausea and loss of appetite
- Stools that are pale or clay colored, foul smelling, have mucus, or that float
- Weight loss
- Coughing or increased mucus in the sinuses or lungs
- Fatigue
- Nasal congestion caused by nasal polyps
- Recurrent episodes of pneumonia. Symptoms in someone with cystic fibrosis include:
- Fever
- Increased coughing
- Increased shortness of breath
- Loss of appetite
- More sputum
- Sinus pain or pressure caused by infection or polyps
What are the causes of Cystic fibrosis?
Who is at risk for Cystic fibrosis?
How to know you have Cystic fibrosis?
When to seek urgent medical care
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for Cystic fibrosis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Cystic fibrosis