Nowadays, cystic fibrosis is usually diagnosed before symptoms appear, through screening tests carried out soon after birth.

The main problems associated with cystic fibrosis are outlined below.

Lung problems

Cystic fibrosis can cause sticky mucus to clog the lungs and airways. This can cause:

• recurring chest infections – these occur because mucus in the lungs is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria
• persistent inflammation of the airways, which can cause them to become abnormally widened (bronchiectasis)
• increased coughing
• occasional wheezing and shortness of breath

Over time, the lungs can become increasingly damaged and may eventually stop working properly.

Digestive system problems

The mucus can also block parts of the digestive system, which can affect how food travels through the gut and how it’s broken down or absorbed.

This may cause:

• a serious bowel obstruction in the first few days of life (meconium ileus) – this will often need an operation to remove the blockage
• jaundice
• diarrhoea or large, smelly stools
• problems putting on weight and growing – this can occur because the body -struggles to digest and absorb nutrients (malnutrition)
• diabetes from late childhood or early adulthood – this can develop if the pancreas becomes severely damaged

Other problems

People with cystic fibrosis can also experience several other problems, including:

• sinusitis
• nasal polyps
• thin, weakened bones (osteoporosis) – this can occur as a result of -repeated infections, poor growth, lack of physical activity and malnutrition
• swelling and pain in the joints (arthritis or arthralgia) from late childhood
• difficulty conceiving children – most men with cystic fibrosis are unable to have children naturally (although some fertility treatments may still work) because the tubes that carry sperm don’t develop correctly; women can become pregnant, however
• liver problems are caused by the tiny bile ducts in the liver becoming blocked by mucus
• leaking of small amounts of urine, particularly during coughing fits (stress incontinence)