What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis?

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic Fibrosis is a disease of many disguises. The exact symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. The early symptoms of CF are also often very similar to other childhood problems. This can make it difficult to diagnose and as result may go undiagnosed or even misdiagnosed. Here is a list of some common symptoms of CF:- Early symptoms (infancy and early childhood): 15–20 % of children born with CF are diagnosed at birth because they present with an intestinal blockage known as meconium ileus. persistent cough which expels thick mucus; recurrent pneumonia difficulty breathing excessive appetite, with weight loss; bowel disturbances, i.e. fatty / grey coloured stools; extremely salty tasting skin; excessive sweating in a very high salt content small salt crystals forming on the scalp failure to thrive Later symptoms (later childchood/adolescents/adults): clubbing (enlargement) of the fingertips persistent chest symptoms uncontrolled “asthma” bronchiectasis male infertility/azoospermia sinusitis / nasal polyposis Some of the common diseases that CF can sometimes be confused with is asthma, chronic bronchitis or pneumonia.