Complications of cystic fibrosis

Most complications from cystic fibrosis occur in the respiratory or digestive systems.

Respiratory complications include:

• Tissue growths in the nose (nasal polyps).
• Tearing of lung tissue, which traps air between the lung and the chest wall (pneumothorax) and may cause the lung to collapse.
• Coughing up large amounts of blood.
• Enlargement of the right side of the heart, which may lead to heart failure.
• Enlarged, damaged airways (bronchiectasis) which can lead to infection.
• An infection caused by a fungus (allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis).

Digestive system complications include:

• Intestinal blockages.
• Rectal prolapse.
• An enlarged liver and spleen and liver disease.
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
• Diabetes.
• Bone thinning (osteopenia or osteoporosis).