Cystic fibrosis throws off the balance between electrolytes and fluid balances in the body.
In most CF patients, sweat is up to five times saltier than normal. Losing excess sodium and chloride can affect the heart rhythm and may sometimes cause shock.
Symptoms include:
- Chronic cough and sputum production
- Persistent chest infection
- Meconium ileus (no stools in the first 24 to 48 hours of life)
- Weight loss and malnutrition (failure to thrive)
- Pancreatitis
- Chronic diarrhea and foul-smelling, greasy stools
- Diabetes related to chronic pancreatitis
- Delayed growth and delayed sexual development at puberty
- Enlargement or rounding (clubbing) of the fingertips and toes
- Chronic hepatic disease and biliary cirrhosis
- Hypoproteinemia and edema
- Rectal prolapse (protrusion of the rectum through the anus)
- Male infertility (obstructive azoospermia)
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