Individuals with cystic fibrosis may exhibit various symptoms such as: salty sweat, persistent coughing, sometimes with discharge (phlegm), wheezing or shortness of breath, excessive appetite with low body weight gain and fat and bulky stools. The severity of cystic fibrosis can vary from person to person, regardless of age, and can be determined primarily by the extent of lung involvement.
The diagnosis of cystic fibrosis is clinical and can be confirmed by the detection of high levels of sodium chloride in sweat or by genetically identifying two mutations for cystic fibrosis associated with pulmonary function tests to monitor respiratory disease.
The treatment of pulmonary manifestations of all patients with cystic fibrosis should include a program of respiratory physiotherapy, hydration and treatment of respiratory infections with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents and fluidification of secretions with the use of osmotic and mucolytic agents.
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