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Cystic Fibrosis Information
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Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease of the mucus glands that affects many of the body's organs. This disorder causes progressive damage to the respiratory system and chronic digestive system problems.
The signs and symptoms of this disorder are caused by the production of abnormally thick, sticky mucus in the body's organs. Problems with breathing are among the most serious symptoms. Mucus can obstruct the airways, leading to bacterial infections in the lungs. These infections cause chronic coughing, wheezing, and inflammation. Over time, mucus buildup and infections lead to permanent lung damage, including the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) and cysts in the lungs.
Most people with cystic fibrosis also have digestive problems. Mucus can block the ducts of the pancreas, preventing enzymes produced by that organ from reaching the intestines to help digest food. Problems with digestion can lead to diarrhea, malnutrition, and weight loss. Some babies with cystic fibrosis have meconium ileus, a blockage of the intestine that occurs shortly after birth.
The inability to conceive a child (infertility) is common in men with cystic fibrosis because the tubes that carry sperm (the vas deferens) often fail to develop properly. Infertility is also possible, though less common, in women with cystic fibrosis.
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