Serious Symptoms Of Cystic Fibrosis

Frequent Shortness Of Breath

Individuals affected by cystic fibrosis can experience frequent shortness of breath as a symptom of their disease. Healthy individuals produce mucus with thin and slippery properties, and it serves as a lubricant for the respiratory and digestive tracts. When a patient's body produces thick and sticky mucus, these secretions can plug up numerous tubes in the digestive system, ducts, and lung passageways. The reduced amount of space air has to pass into the alveoli can cause the individual to feel like they cannot breathe in enough air. In addition, cystic fibrosis increases the occurrence of pneumothorax or a condition where air accumulates in the space that separates the chest wall from the lungs. This malfunction places pressure on the exterior of the lungs causing the passageways to become even more narrowed, resulting in severe chest pain and shortness of breath. An inflammatory component called neutrophil elastase can cause elastin degradation and the production of IL-8 in epithelial cells. Therefore, it acts as a secretagogue and contributes to impaired gas exchange, structural damage, and end-stage lung disease. Cystic fibrosis causes the airway walls to become thinner over time and can cause severe damage to the lungs, impairing their function. A combination of one or more of these factors can cause frequent episodes of breathlessness.

Learn more about the major symptoms of cystic fibrosis now.