
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Cystic fibrosis history and symptoms
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Most common symptoms in cystic fibrosis include salty sweat, constant coughing, diarrhea or greasy stools, stomach pain, constipation and poor weight gain. Less common symptoms include nasal polyp, hemoptysis, and skin irritation.
History and Symptoms
History and Symptoms
History
History should be focused on specific areas, including:[1][2]
- Salty sweat
- Diarrhea or bulky, foul smelling, and greasy stool
- Abdominal pain and discomfort
- Fatigue
- Family history of cystic fibrosis
Common symptoms
Common symptoms in cystic fibrosis include:[1][2]
- Constant coughing
- Steatorrhea
- Constipation
- Poor weight gain/ failure to thrive
Less common symptoms
Less common symptoms in cystic fibrosis include:[1][3][4]
- Nasal polyps
- Frequent coughing and hemoptysis (due to respiratory infection)
- Skin irritation (zinc deficiency can cause dermatitis)
- Chest pain
References
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 “Cystic Fibrosis – National Library of Medicine – PubMed Health”.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Tabori H, Arnold C, Jaudszus A, Mentzel HJ, Renz DM, Reinsch S, Lorenz M, Michl R, Gerber A, Lehmann T, Mainz JG (2017). “Abdominal symptoms in cystic fibrosis and their relation to genotype, history, clinical and laboratory findings”. PLoS ONE. 12 (5): e0174463. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0174463. PMC 5417419. PMID 28472055.
- ↑ Sabharwal S (January 2016). “Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Cystic Fibrosis”. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 12 (1): 43–7. PMC 4865785. PMID 27330503.
- ↑ Dowaikh H, Morfin-Sherpa F, Reix P (October 2017). “Acute chest pain in an adolescent with cystic fibrosis in September: Would you have thought about this?”. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 52 (10): E70–E72. doi:10.1002/ppul.23746. PMID 28564496.
Editor-In-Chief:
C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shaghayegh Habibi, M.D.[2]
