Signs and Symptoms

Cystic fibrosis signs and symptoms vary, depending on the severity of the disease. A specific patient's symptoms may change, for better or worse, throughout life.  Because of newborn screening throughout the United States, most Cystic Fibrosis patients are diagnosed at a very young age.  However, symptoms may begin anytime from infancy to adolescence or even adulthood.  A sign that is commonly noticed by parents of infants with CF is salty-tasting skin.  When the parents kiss their child, they taste an unusual saltiness. Unfortunately, Cystic Fibrosis affects multiple body systems and can cause a multitude of problems.  

Other symptoms include:
-persistent cough
-excessive mucus and sputum
-wheezing
-shortness of breath
-difficulty exercising
-frequent respiratory infections
-nasal inflammation
-foul-smelling or greasy stools
-poor weight gain/growth
-intestinal blockage
-constipation
-rectal prolapse
-infertility
-pancreatic insufficiency
-diabetes
-sinus disease
-liver disease
-venous thrombosis
-liver disease
-frequent fractures
-kyphoscoliosis 
A more complete list of possible manifestations is included below. 

The variety of symptoms and presentations of Cystic Fibrosis presents providers with a difficult task is treatment.  Luckily there are a several options for reducing symptom severity. 

Source: Uptodate.com