Serious Symptoms Of Cystic Fibrosis

Inflamed Nasal Passages

The thick mucus produced by cystic fibrosis affects several areas of the respiratory system, including the nose. As the mucus builds up in the nose, bacteria are unable to be expelled, remaining trapped in the nasal passages. This results in sinusitis or inflamed nasal passages. The inflammation can cause patients to feel pain and pressure in the face as well as nasal congestion, difficulty breathing through the nose, pain in the upper teeth and headache. Nasal polyps can also develop in individuals who have cystic fibrosis, affecting approximately ten to fifteen percent of patients. Polyps are small, sac-like growths of inflamed nasal mucosa, which are masses in the nose, and are caused by chronic inflammation in the nasal lining.

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More Salt In Sweat

One of the first symptoms of cystic fibrosis is a distinct salty taste to the skin. Many parents recognize the taste when kissing their babies. This is due to more salt in the sweat on the surface of the skin. When the body sweats, salt is used as a catalyst to carry water to the surface of the skin to provide cooling and then be reabsorbed. When an individual has cystic fibrosis, the salt transports to the surface, but instead of being reabsorbed, remains on the surface of the skin. Because of this, individuals with cystic fibrosis are generally deficient in salt and are prone to fatigue, cramps, stomach pain, and dehydration due to this deficiency. They are at especially high risk when the weather is hot. Those with cystic fibrosis are encouraged to drink liquids that include electrolytes as a supplement for sodium intake.

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