What Do You Know About Cystic Fibrosis?
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease. Nearly 40,000 people in the
U.S. have CF. Most of them are descendants of people from northern Europe. Find out
more
about CF by taking this quiz.
4. How is the digestive system affected by extra mucus in
CF?
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correct answer is
The pancreas
helps in digestion by making enzymes and bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid. If
the
pancreas ducts are blocked by mucus, digestion is affected. Enzymes can't help digest
food, which means the person won't get the nutrients they need. Bowel movements become
bulky and foul-smelling. Malnutrition and slowed growth and development can also occur.
If the cells in the pancreas that make insulin are damaged, the person can develop
cystic fibrosis-related diabetes. If the bile ducts in the liver are affected, biliary
cirrhosis may result. Other symptoms and problems linked with CF include sinusitis,
nasal polyps, clubbed fingers and toes, ruptured lung tissue, belly (abdominal) pain,
gassiness, gallstones, coughing blood, enlargement of the right side of the heart,
and
infertility.
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