Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms Information

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is basically a chronic disease that is also progressive in nature. It is a condition that is related to the exocrine system of the body. The exocrine system is responsible for all external secretions of the body like mucus, sweat and the like. In the Unites States alone, there are about 30,000 children and adults who suffer from this condition. While it is mainly a disease of the exocrine system, CF also affects the digestive system, the respiratory system and the reproductive system as well. The mucus that is secreted by the exocrine system in various organs and cells in the body is extremely thick and this results in the blockage of various critical passages in the body.

The cystic fibrosis foundation is a non profit foundation that is supported by donors. The main aim of the foundation is to ensure that cystic fibrosis treatment options for the condition continue to be researched. The foundation has 115 care centers, almost a hundred adult care programs and many affiliate programs as well. With a network this wide, the foundation is considered to be an extremely efficient organization and manages funds extremely well. When the foundation was established in 1955, the average age of survival of people afflicted with this condition was extremely low.

The condition is fairly obvious very soon after birth and can be judged by certain specific symptoms. Typical cystic fibrosis symptoms include diarrhea, foul smelling stool, poor growth despite a good appetite, skin that tastes salty, vomiting and frequent bouts of pneumonia and wheezing. In slightly older children, the condition can be diagnosed by noticing symptoms like respiratory infections, cough and fever, abdominal pain and flatulence, malnutrition and poor growth. There are various other conditions that can surface due to CF. These include sinusitis, clubbing of the fingers, nasal polyps, rectal prolapse, late puberty and others.

While there may be many people who still do not know what is cystic fibrosis, there are various tests that have been designed to be able to diagnose the condition. It is amazing that today, the diagnosis of this condition can be done at a prenatal, postnatal and early childhood stage as well. The amniotic fluid is used to perform certain tests and this establishes the diagnosis for CF. Newborns need to undergo a test called immunoreactive trypsinogen test or IRT.

Other very common test that is also used to diagnose CF among children and young adults too is electrolyte sweat test. This is a test where the level of sodium, potassium and chloride is tested in the sweat using the electrolyte method. A chemical called pilocarpine is applied on the skin and an electric current is used. If the levels of sodium and potassium are high, CF is suspected. Other tests used to diagnose cystic fibrosis are chest x-ray, sputum culture test and stool examination.