Cystic Fibrosis Channel
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Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms
Common Symptoms
The thick, sticky mucus causes most of the symptoms of cystic fibrosis. The most common symptoms include:
- Frequent coughing that brings up thick sputum, or phlegm.
- Frequent bouts of bronchitis and pneumonia, which can lead to inflammation and permanent lung damage.
- Salty-tasting skin.
- Dehydration.
- Infertility (mostly in men).
- Ongoing diarrhea or bulky, foul-smelling, and greasy stools.
- Huge appetite but poor weight gain and growth. This is called "failure to thrive." It is a result of chronic malnutrition because you do not get enough nutrients from your food.
- Stomach pain and discomfort caused by too much gas in your intestines.
Signs and symptoms of cystic fibrosis can also lead to other medical problems, including:
- Sinusitis
- Bronchiectasis
- Pancreatitis
- Episodes of intestinal blockage (especially in newborns)
- Nasal polyps (growths in your nose) that may require surgery
- Clubbing (the widening and rounding of the tips of your fingers and toes)
- Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
- Rectal prolapse (rectal tissue from inside you moves out of your rectum)
- Liver disease due to inflammation or blocked bile ducts
- Diabetes
- Gallstones
- Low bone density because you do not get enough vitamin D.
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD