Video:Symptoms and Effects of Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that alters the respiratory, digestive, and reproductive functions. Learn more about the cause, effects, symptoms, and treatment of this genetic disease.
Transcript:Symptoms and Effects of Cystic Fibrosis
What Is Cystic Fibrosis?
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that alters the body's respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems. It affects the body's epithelial cells that comprise the lining of the lungs, pancreas, liver, sweat glands, digestive tract, and reproductive system.What Causes Cystic Fibrosis?
Normally, the epithelial cells release a slippery layer of mucous that captures dust and germs, and acts as a lubricant. A person with cystic fibrosis inherited a gene that causes the epithelial cells to produce a defective protein. That protein leads to the formation of thick, sticky mucus, which causes many serious problems.Effects of Cystic Fibrosis
The sticky mucus can: clog the bronchial, interfere with breathing, causing coughing and wheezing, cause fatigue, interfere with digestion and absorption of nutrients, which can limit growth and weight gain and cause chronic diarrhea.Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis
Common symptoms of cystic fibrosis include persistent coughing, poor weight gain, bulky stools, and very salty-tasting skin in infants.Treating Cystic Fibrosis
Treatment of cystic fibrosis varies according to the stage of the disease and which organs are affected.Copyrighted animations provided by Blausen Medical.
