How Cystic Fibrosis Affects the Body?

HOW CYSTIC FIBROSIS AFFECTS THE BODY............................

The defective gene interferes with the body's ability to transfer water and salt to and from cells. This causes secretions which are normally thin and watery in healthy people to become very thick and sticky. The thick secretions clog up organs and prevent them from working properly .

This can affect many organs such as the Lungs, Liver and Gall bladder, Pancreas, Intestines, Reproductive organs, Digestive system and the Respiratory system.

CF affects the lungs when, thick mucus builds up and gets stuck in the airways. This means that, breathing passage ways become blocked and air can't get through. Bacteria will grow in the mucus collections and will cause infection in the lungs, nose and sinuses ,nasal polyps may develop in some

Pancreas, is a part of the digestive system. It secretes enzymes that are needed to digest food and a hormone called insulin to control blood sugar, but when CF affects it, the pancreatic duct become clogged and food is not digested properly hence, the body can't absorb nutrients .

In the liver and gall bladder, although not common, thickened secretions gets clogged up in the bile ducts and prevents it from working. If this continues for a long period of time ,the liver could be permanently damaged and the gall bladder is eventually removed.

Cystic fibrosis affects the reproductive system in both men and women but have different effects or damage to them. In women, they are often able to conceive but may have decreased fertility. This is because, the mucus in the reproductive system normally changes through the menstrual cycle. When the woman is fertile, it becomes thicker to help the sperm get through the cervix. Women with CF usually produce fertile eggs, but the thick mucus can block the cervix so sperm cannot reach them.