Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common inherited disorder (genetic disease) that affects the tissues of the body that produce mucus. Many systems in the body rely on fully functional mucous glands. If these do not work well, many medical complications can arise.
The symptoms of cystic fibrosis are caused by thick, thick mucus. These include a frequent cough, which causes thick, discolored mucus, and frequent episodes of chest congestion, which often lead to pneumonia. The skin can taste salty and people with this disease can easily become dehydrated.
The stool of a patient with cystic fibrosis is thick, oily and stinks. The patient can eat well and has a good appetite, but does not gain weight and does not develop. Stomach pain, bloating, and excessive gas are caused by too much gas in the gut and are painful.
There are other medical problems that are caused by cystic fibrosis. Infertility in men is often caused by this disease. Sinusitis develops when the area behind the eyes, nose and forehead is blocked by thick mucus. The nasal tissue becomes infected under these conditions and causes sinusitis if the sinus lining is blocked. This is very common in patients with cystic fibrosis. Nasal polyps can also grow in the sinuses and require surgery to be removed.
Cystic fibrosis affects the lungs and bronchi. The bronchi are the large airways in your lungs. Bronchiectasis is a lung disease in which the airways expand and soften. They produce bags in which slime collects. These pockets are a breeding ground for bacteria and the infection causes more damage to the bronchi. This can lead to other bronchial infections and serious illnesses, including respiratory failure.
If your lungs don’t get enough oxygen in your body, this can lead to clubbing. Clubbing is the enlargement and thickening of the toes and fingers. Clubbing is a clear sign of cystic fibrosis if the disease has not yet been diagnosed.
Other serious illnesses and complications include liver disease, diabetes, gallstones, collapsed lungs and rectal prolapse. A strong cough and the body that has problems with bowel movements cause rectal prolapse. This pushes the rectal tissue out of the body.
Another serious illness that can occur due to this genetic disease is the low bone density. The body does not get enough vitamin D and this can cause rickets. Your doctor may recommend vitamin D supplements to prevent low bone density.
Because there is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis, medical treatment focuses on treating the various symptoms and medical problems that result from cystic fibrosis.