Cystic Fibrosis

Children With Developmental Challenges 3(2+1)

Lesson 31 : Children With Chronic Health Impairments and Psychological Disorders

Cystic Fibrosis

It is an inherited disease of secretary glands, including the glands that make mucus and sweat. Cystic fibrosis mostly affects the lungs, pancreas, liver, intestines, sinuses and sex organs. Mucus is a substance made by the lining of some body tissues. In cystic fibrosis the mucous becomes thick and sticky. The mucus builds up in your lungs and blocks your airways—the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. The buildup of mucus makes it easy for bacteria to grow. This leads to repeated, serious lung infections. Over time, these infections can severely damage lungs.

Symptoms

  • Thick, viscous mucus secretions in the lungs
  • Repeated infections
  • Stools, pale or clay colored, foul smelling or stools that float
  • Recurrent pneumonia
  • Chronic cough, possibly with blood streaking
  • Wheezing
  • Bronchitis
  • Asthma
  • Nasal polyps (fleshy growths inside the nose)
  • Weight loss, failure to thrive in infants, abdominal swelling
  • Excessive salt in sweat, dehydration
  • Failure of newborn to pass stool
  • Abdominal pain, flatulence
  • Fatigue
  • Enlarged fingertips (clubbing)
  • Changes in color and amount of sputum (material coughed up from the lungs)

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Last modified: Friday, 25 May 2012, 1:23 PM