Understanding and Diagnosing Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms

Just like other illnesses, it is important to understand cystic fibrosis symptoms. This way, you can easily determine whether the signs you are feeling need medical attention or not. Although there is no absolute cure for this genetic disorder, advanced treatments and therapies have made it easier for sufferers to live with its symptoms.

What causes its symptoms?

Cystic fibrosis is caused by the sticky mucus present in the body. It affects different vital organs such as the lungs and digestive system. Although the severity of its symptoms can vary from one person to another, sufferers share the same experiences when it comes to battling against its painful symptoms.

Here are some of the main symptoms and health problems detected in cystic fibrosis.

Coughing and wheezing

Cystic fibrosis symptoms can affect your lungs first before it reaches other organs in your body. You may experience discomfort in the form of coughing and wheezing. Your body reacts to the thick mucus in your lungs by coughing it out.

As the mucus continues to build up inside your lungs, the thick mucus will provide an ideal breeding ground for harmful bacteria. This leads to the recurring lung and chest infections that you may experience throughout your life span.

Malnutrition and smelly stools

Cystic fibrosis can also block the ducts in your pancreas. This hinders your pancreas from producing food-digestive enzymes and leads to large, smelly stools or even malnutrition.

The lack of digestive enzymes in your body makes it harder for the body to digest the food you eat. The undigested fat can affect your stools and make them smelly, oily, and bulky. Cystic fibrosis symptoms can also prevent your body from absorbing the essential nutrients that it needs. This can make it harder for you to gain and maintain your ideal weight.

Diabetes

In some cases, cystic fibrosis can also lead to diabetes. As it continues to damage your pancreas, they will not produce enough insulin for controlling the sugar levels in your bloodstream.

If ever you develop diabetes due to cystic fibrosis, you may experience symptoms such as finding it difficult to lose and gain weight. You will also experience a tremendous decline in your normal lung function as mucus continues to accumulate in your lungs.

Cross infections

Cystic fibrosis symptoms can make your body more vulnerable to harmful lung infections. Your lungs may develop two bacteria strains known as Burkholderia cepacia complex and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. They will continue to thrive in the thick mucus inside your lungs and cause repeated chest infections.

Cross infections may occur when you have accidentally passed the bacteria to other people. This contagious disease can be passed on by coughing near them or making personal contact with them.

Now that you are already familiar with the signs of cystic fibrosis, you can easily determine if you are suffering from this genetic disorder. Although cystic fibrosis symptoms can be quite scary, always remember that advanced therapies are available to deter their harmful effects.