- Damaged airways (bronchiectasis)
- Chronic respiratory infections
- Nasal growth (polyp)
- Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
- Air leaking into the space separating the lung and chest wall (pneumothorax)
- Respiratory failure

Respiratory Complications of Cystic Fibrosis

Thick mucus clogs the passageways that carry air around the lungs, causing:
- A persistent cough with thick mucus
- Wheezing
- Exercise intolerance
- Repeated lung infections
- Stuffy nose
- Recurring sinusitis


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Symptoms vary between affected individuals, and can change over a person's lifetime. Those with milder symptoms are sometimes not diagnosed until teenage or adulthood, and commonly experience atypical symptoms.

Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.) Cystic fibrosis. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cystic-fibrosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353700

Cystic Fibrosis Mayo Clinic

Respiratory Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis

Thick mucus clogs the tubes connecting the pancreas to the small intestine, preventing the movement of digestive enzymes. The intestine is not able to absorb the nutrients from food completely, causing:
- Greasy stool with strong odor
- Poor growth and weight gain
- Intestinal blockages
- Chronic or severe constipation


Digestive Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis

- Infertility in men caused by an obstruction between the testes and prostate gland
- Reduced fertility in women

Reproductive Complications of Cystic Fibrosis

- Bone and muscle issues (such as osteoporosis, arthritis, and pain of the joints and muscles)
- Electrolyte imbalance and dehydration from increased salt levels in sweat
- Fear, depression, or anxiety from hopelessness of chronic, uncurable illness

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