What are the effects of cystic fibrosis on a person?

What are the effects of cystic fibrosis on a person?

CF causes thick mucus that clogs certain organs, such as the lungs, pancreas, and intestines. This may cause malnutrition, poor growth, frequent respiratory infections, breathing problems, and chronic lung disease.

What symptoms does cystic fibrosis cause?

Symptoms of cystic fibrosis include:

• recurring chest infections.
• wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and damage to the airways (bronchiectasis)
• difficulty putting on weight and growing.
• yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• diarrhoea, constipation, or large, smelly poo.

How hard is it to live with cystic fibrosis?

The typical life expectancy for someone with CF is mid-30s. As treatments have improved over the years, patients with CF are now living into their 40s and beyond. Cystic fibrosis may cause mucus to clog lung airways, leading to difficulty breathing.

What are the worst symptoms of cystic fibrosis?

The worst symptom of CF was shortness of breath. In people with CF, mucus builds up in the sinuses and lungs which can cause problems breathing, and repeated episodes of pneumonia can increase the feeling of breathlessness. “Coughing mucus up…and depending on the weather, shortness of breathe.”

Do you have symptoms of cystic fibrosis or CF?

Most carriers do not have symptoms of CF. However, some say they have mild symptoms. New research shows CF carriers have a higher risk for CF-related issues. Because of this, CF screening is encouraged, especially for those with family members with CF or those wanting to start a family.

How does a person with cystic fibrosis affect their body?

However, in people with CF, thinning of the bones can occur at an earlier age. Bone health is strongly linked to the severity of lung disease and body weight. Over a third of adults with CF have low bone mineral density. Conversely, those with normal weight and height, and good lung function, have near-normal bone density.

What are the symptoms of cystic fibrosis in children?

The symptoms of cystic fibrosis vary. Some children will have symptoms at birth, while others may not have symptoms for weeks, months, or even years. The severity of symptoms also varies, with some children showing only mild digestive and lung problems and others having severe food-absorption problems and life-threatening breathing complications.

How does cystic fibrosis affect your sense of smell?

They can vary in size and may grow individually or in a bunch. People with nasal polyps may complain of congestion, sinus pain, a runny nose or a loss of their sense of smell. Many people with CF suffer with nasal polyps. This is thought to be due to the chronic congestion and infection that CF can cause.

What is life expectancy with CF?

In some cases, CF can be a mild disease. But in most people with CF, it poses a serious risk to a person’s health. The average lifespan of a person with CF is 37 years. Those with a milder form can live into their 50s.

What is the prognosis of cystic fibrosis (CF)?

What is the prognosis (outlook) for patients who have cystic fibrosis (CF)? There is no cure for CF and it cannot be prevented. However, new treatment methods help children who have CF live well into adulthood and have a better quality of life. Advances in the treatment of CF have increased the expected age of a patient’s survival, from the mid-teens in the 1970s to more than 36 years old currently.

Is cystic fibrosis usually fatal?

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease characterized by an abnormality in the body’s salt, water- and mucus-making cells. It is chronic, progressive, and is usually fatal. In general, children with CF live into their 30s.

What is the treatment for CF?

Cystic fibrosis (CF) has no cure. However, treatments have greatly improved in recent years. The goals of CF treatment include: The basic daily care program varies from person to person, but usually includes pulmonary therapy (treatments to maintain lung function) and nutritional therapy (a high-calorie, high-fat diet with vitamin supplements).