Symptoms

The main symptoms of cystic fibrosis are in the lungs and gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms usually develop in the first year of life, but can develop later.

Lungs

The cells lining the lungs make mucus that is thicker than people without the condition, meaning that it is more difficult to clear from the lungs and airways. The build up of thick, sticky mucus can also trap bacteria leading to recurrent lung infections and inflammation. Frequent chest infections and inflammation can also damage the lungs, leading to reduced function.Anatomy of the lungs

Symptoms include:

  • Persistent cough to get rid of mucus
     
  • Wheezing 
     
  • Breathing difficulties caused by lung damage from infections/inflammation and mucus 
     
  • Chest infections due to trapped bacteria in mucus which can't be cleared

 Digestive System

In a small number of cases of CF digestive system symptoms don't occur, but the majority of patients also suffer digestion problems.The pancreas is the part of the gastrointestinal tract most affected by CF. The build up of mucus prevents the flow of digestive juices from the pancreas into the intestine. This leads to problems with the digestion of food and absorption of vitamins.Human digestive system

Symptoms include:

  • Malnutrition leading to poor growth due to problems with absorption of vitamins 
     
  • Bloated abdomen caused by difficulties with digestion of food 
     
  • Constipation 
     
  • Large, smelly, fatty faeces (present in 1/3 of cases)

General Symptoms

Other general problems associated with CF can include:

  • Infertility- due to abnormalities of the vas deferens in males and build up of cervical mucus in females 
     
  • Diabetes - low levels of insulin secretion caused by CF effects on the pancreas 
     
  • Pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas 
     
  • Osteoporosis - bone disease caused by factors such as lack of calcium & vitamin D 
     
  • Damage to liver - bile ducts, which transport bile from the liver to the intestines, become blocked

Diagrams of lungs https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thoracic_anatomy.jpg and digestive system https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Digestive_system_simplified.svg courtesy of wikimedia commons under the terms of the GNU free documentation licence