Cystic fibrosis how does it affect you

This means they may not ovulate produce an egg for fertilisation each month. Women with CF may also have thicker vaginal mucus, which can make it harder for the sperm to reach the egg. Find out more about fertility and family planning in cystic fibrosis.

This is because the tube that carries sperm from the testicles to the penis called the vas deferens is either missing or blocked. The sperm is healthy, there is just no way for it to travel through the vas deferens to become semen.

This is called obstructive azoospermia. It is possible for men with this CF-related problem to father biological children through fertility treatment. People with cystic fibrosis CF often look healthy, but it's a life-limiting condition that affects those living with it in many ways.

The condition is caused by a genetic mutation that means cells in the human body are unable to move salt and water around effectively. This results in a build-up of thick mucus in the lungs and digestive system, as well as a number of other effects. People with CF are particularly susceptible to lung infections, and as such have to take precautions to avoid exposure to harmful bacteria and other bugs.

For example, two people with the condition should never meet in person, as they are each at risk of cross-infection - passing on harmful bugs to each other. Cystic fibrosis is as varied as the people who have it - each individual's genotype genetic make-up will dictate the symptoms that they experience and how much they will be affected by them. These symptoms include poor lung function, frequent and persistent lung infections and the inability to effectively digest food, particularly fats.

Additional complications include CF-related diabetes, bone disease and infertility. Find out more about the symptoms of cystic fibrosis. We are dedicated to creating a brighter future for everyone with cystic fibrosis, where they live long and healthy lives unaffected by the condition.

Find out more about the research we are funding , our fight for a life unlimited and how you can support us. Find out more about how cystic fibrosis affects the lungs and the treatments available to fight these symptoms.

Discover the effects of cystic fibrosis on the digestive system, and how enzymes and other medications can help. While the lungs and digestive system are the most commonly affected organs, issues like diabetes and bone disease can also occur.

We fund cutting-edge research into cystic fibrosis, driving forward the process of finding transformational therapies and better treatments to help everyone with cystic fibrosis live a life unlimited by the condition.

Check out our research. Find out more about cystic fibrosis, including stories from inspiring individuals living with the condition in our 'is' magazine and helpful factsheets on a wide range of associated medical and social issues. How does cystic fibrosis affect the body? Digestive System. Female puberty and fertility. Male puberty and fertility. Female Male. Close General There are more than 1, possible mutations of the faulty gene that causes cystic fibrosis. Brain Mental Health Living with cystic fibrosis means more than just a set of physical symptoms - it can have an impact on your mental and emotional wellbeing.

Sweat is collected and the amount of chloride, a component of salt in the sweat, is measured. A high level of chloride is an indication of CF. Genetic tests can also be carried out by analyzing cheek cells or a blood sample. These tests are mainly used to find out if a person carries the CF gene, but they can also be used to confirm a CF diagnosis following an unclear sweat test result.

There are over 1, known mutations of the CF gene. As a result, most genetic tests for the condition only screen for the most common mutations. The median predicted age of survival for people with CF is currently in the early 40s. Life expectancy is strongly affected by the severity of the disease, age of diagnosis, and the type of CF gene mutation.

Diabetes can run in families, but it does not always happen. If there is a genetic link, why do only some people in the family develop diabetes? Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD refers to two lung diseases that cause difficulty breathing.

Smoking is the most common cause. Learn more…. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.

Anyone can develop pneumonia, but certain groups of people…. Genetic testing can help identify which diseases an individual is at risk of. This can make early or preventive treatment possible and it can help…. New research suggests that thymosin alpha 1 can correct the genetic defects typical of cystic fibrosis and stop the progression of the disease. Everything you need to know about cystic fibrosis. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. What is cystic fibrosis? These images allows your doctor to view internal structures, such as the liver and pancreas, making it easier to assess the extent of organ damage caused by cystic fibrosis.

Pulmonary function tests PFTs determine whether your lungs are working properly. The tests can help measure how much air can be inhaled or exhaled and how well the lungs transport oxygen to the rest of the body. Any abnormalities in these functions may indicate cystic fibrosis. Most transplant recipients report improved strength and energy, and freedom from symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath.

Chest therapy helps loosen the thick mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough it up. A common technique involves placing the head over the edge of a bed and clapping with cupped hands along the sides of the chest.

Cystic fibrosis can prevent the intestines from absorbing necessary nutrients from food. You may also need to take pancreatic enzyme capsules with every meal. Your doctor may also recommend antacids , multivitamins , and a diet high in fiber and salt. The outlook for people with cystic fibrosis has improved dramatically in recent years, largely due to advances in treatment.

Today, many people with the disease live into their 40s and 50s, and even longer in some cases. The resulting damage to the lungs can cause severe breathing problems and other complications. However, genetic testing should be performed for couples who have cystic fibrosis or who have relatives with the disease. When you have cystic fibrosis, you can get pregnant and carry a baby to term. Read on to learn how the condition can affect your pregnancy, testing….

College is a major transition. Having a chronic condition like cystic fibrosis can make college a little more complicated, but certainly not….

If you are a carrier for cystic fibrosis, that means you could pass on the gene to your children. Learn more about being a carrier. In the liver, the thick mucus can block the bile duct, causing liver disease.

In men, CF can affect their ability to have children. Today, because of improved medical treatments and care, more than half of people with CF are age 18 or older. Many people with CF can expect to live healthy, fulfilling lives into their 30s, 40s, and beyond.

Read the Foundation's Patient Registry Reports. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease. People with CF have inherited two copies of the defective CF gene -- one copy from each parent. Both parents must have at least one copy of the defective gene. People with only one copy of the defective CF gene are called carriers, but they do not have the disease.

Each time two CF carriers have a child, the chances are:. The defective CF gene contains a slight abnormality called a mutation. There are more than 1, known mutations of the disease. Most genetic tests only screen for the most common CF mutations. Therefore, the test results may indicate a person who is a carrier of the CF gene is not a carrier. Diagnosing cystic fibrosis is a multistep process, and should include a:.

Although most people are diagnosed with CF by the age of 2, some are diagnosed as adults. A CF specialist can order a sweat test and recommend additional testing to confirm a CF diagnosis. Cystic fibrosis is a complex disease.