What body parts are affected?
CF affects the body in many different ways.
Parts of the body that may be affected by CF are:
- Lungs
- Pancreas
- Sinuses
- Bones
- Liver
- Lean Tissue
- Reproduction
CF can affect each person very differently. Treatment is aimed at managing symptoms, maintaining lung health, maintaining a healthy weight, optimising body composition, and managing other changes either before they occur or as they occur.
What symptoms do people with CF have?
People with CF can have a range of signs and symptoms, which might happen at different stages in life, though not everyone has all of these symptoms. Some of these include:
- Increased cough
- Prolonged, moist (wet) or productive cough or dry cough
- Increased mucus (sputum) production
- Frequent chest infections
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux (this can feel like heart burn, or spew burps)
- Fatigue/tiredness
- Difficulty to exercise or participate in physical activities
- Changes in bowel actions
- Reduced body weight and difficulty building muscle
- Abnormally salty sweat
- Bone and joint pain
- Abnormal blood sugar levels or diabetes
- Urinary stress incontinence/bladder leakage
- Altered posture
- Musculoskeletal pain
