Cystic Fibrosis - Signs, Symptoms, and Complications - Signs, Symptoms, and Complications

Cystic fibrosis most commonly affects the lungs. Some people who have cystic fibrosis may have wheezing and a cough that may produce mucus or blood.

Other signs and symptoms depend on the organs affected and may include:

• Blockage of the intestine in a baby soon after birth
• clubbing of fingers and toes due to less oxygen getting to the hands and feet
• Fever, which may include night sweats
• Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as severe abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, or constipation
• Jaundice , or yellow skin, for an abnormally long time after birth
• Low body mass index (BMI) or being underweight
• Muscle and joint pain
• Delayed growth or puberty
• Salty skin and saltier than normal sweat
• sinuses  infections

Cystic fibrosis affects many parts and systems of the body. Complications will depend on the affected organs and the severity of disease. People who have cystic fibrosis produce thick, sticky mucus that causes problems in the lungs and digestive system. The buildup of mucus in the lungs makes it easy for bacteria to grow and often leads to serious lung infections. People who have cystic fibrosis often have problems with nutrition, too, because their pancreas does not work properly.

Possible complications of cystic fibrosis include:

• Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), which is an allergic reaction in the lungs to the fungus Aspergillus.
• Bronchiectasis, a widening of the airways in the lungs caused by chronic inflammation or obstruction of the airways. This is a common complication of cystic fibrosis.
• cancer of the digestive tract, including the esophagus, stomach, small bowel, large bowel, liver, and pancreas
• Collapsed lung, called pneumothorax, resulting in air in the space between your lung and chest wall
• Diabetes due to damage to the pancreas. The pancreas is where insulin is made.
• Fertility problems
• Gastrointestinal complications, such as distal intestinal obstruction syndrome (DIOS), in which your intestine becomes blocked by very thick intestinal contents. Another possible complication is rectal prolapse, in which part of the rectum sticks out through the anus.
• Heart failure because of lung damage
• Hemoptysis
• Kidney problems due to diabetes and some antibiotics, or kidney stones
• Liver disease or failure caused by blockage of the bile ducts in the liver, which leads to bile damaging your liver. This may lead to cirrhosis and a need for a liver transplant.
• Lung infections that may come back or be difficult to treat
• Malnutrition because the pancreas may not make enough enzymes to help digest and absorb nutrients from food
• Mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety
• Muscle and bone complications, including low bone density and osteoporosis, joint pain and arthritis, and muscle pains
• Pancreatitis and low levels of pancreatic enzymes leading to nutritional deficiencies, including low levels of vitamins A, D, E, and K
• Pulmonary exacerbations, which are episodes of worsening cough, shortness of breath, and mucus production caused by airway inflammation and blockage from an increase in bacteria in your airways and lungs. These episodes may also cause Fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
• Salt loss syndrome, in which your body quickly loses salt, or sodium and chloride, causing electrolyte and other imbalances.
• Urinary incontinence, or loss of bladder control

• Diagnosis will discuss tests and procedures used to detect signs of cystic fibrosis and help rule out other conditions that may mimic cystic fibrosis.
• Treatment will discuss treatment-related complications or side effects.