What are the effects of cystic fibrosis? (1 point)
Responses
skin disorders
circulatory and cardiovascular diseases
absence of pigment
respiratory and digestive issues
The main effects of cystic fibrosis include respiratory and digestive issues. In the respiratory system, the disease causes thick and sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, leading to chronic lung infections, difficulty breathing, and reduced lung function over time. This can result in frequent coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
In the digestive system, cystic fibrosis affects the pancreas, causing it to produce thick mucus that blocks the release of digestive enzymes. This can lead to difficulty absorbing nutrients from food, malnutrition, poor growth, and delayed puberty in affected individuals. It can also cause frequent greasy and bulky stools, abdominal pain, and intestinal blockages.
While cystic fibrosis primarily affects the respiratory and digestive systems, it can have secondary effects on other parts of the body as well. These can include skin disorders, such as excessive sweating and salty-tasting skin, as well as circulatory and cardiovascular diseases, due to the thickened mucus obstructing blood vessels. Absence of pigment, however, is not a known effect of cystic fibrosis.