Key Takeaways

• Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects the lungs, digestive system, and other organs.
• The condition causes thick, sticky mucus that disrupts normal organ function.
• Respiratory symptoms often include chronic coughing, infections, and shortness of breath.
• Digestive complications can impair nutrient absorption and normal growth.
• Symptoms vary widely in severity and may change over time.

Cody Lovins is a Houston-based entrepreneur and franchise owner with more than two decades of experience operating multiple Sports Clips locations across Texas. Since opening his first store in 2005, Cody Lovins has expanded his portfolio to include 15 hair care franchises and earned recognition within the Sports Clips system for sustained growth and sales performance. In 2020, he further diversified his business interests by becoming a franchise owner with Dogtopia, a national provider of dog daycare, boarding, and grooming services, where he oversees daily operations and continued expansion at several locations.

Beyond his professional work, Mr. Lovins maintains a strong commitment to philanthropy and community involvement. He actively supports organizations such as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and AeroAngel, reflecting a long-standing interest in health-related causes. Within this context, understanding medical conditions like cystic fibrosis and the symptoms that affect individuals and families is an important step in promoting awareness, education, and informed support for those living with the disease.

An Overview of Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited genetic disease that affects a person’s digestive system, lungs, and other organs. The disease impacts the body in several ways, primarily by damaging cells that produce certain fluids, including sweat, mucus, and digestive juices. These fluids, collectively known as secretions, coat various organs and other parts of the body to create smooth pathways and mitigate irritation and wear-and-tear damage. Individuals living with cystic fibrosis produce thick, sticky secretions, particularly in the pancreas and lungs.

A serious and progressive disease, cystic fibrosis demands daily care, though proper maintenance usually allows individuals living with the illness to attend work and school. Care options for the disease have improved dramatically over the past few decades, thanks in part to improved screening techniques. Even so, cystic fibrosis typically impacts a person’s lifespan.

In the United States, technological breakthroughs have allowed medical professionals to screen for cystic fibrosis in newborns, meaning they can diagnose and begin treating the disease before any symptoms appear. In the past, people often did not seek medical support until they started showing symptoms in their teenage or adult years.

The symptoms of cystic fibrosis can vary in both type and severity, and a person living with the disease can experience different levels of symptoms over time, varying between milder periods and more severe flare-ups. If a person does not receive a cystic fibrosis diagnosis until later in life, they typically experience milder and more atypical symptoms, such as infertility, frequent bouts of pneumonia, and an inflamed pancreas.

Many of the disease’s most common symptoms involve the respiratory system. As thick, sticky mucus forms in the body, it clogs passageways that move air in and out of the lungs. As a result, individuals with cystic fibrosis often experience a chronic cough, wheezing, fatigue, shortness of breath, and irritated nasal passages. People also experience repeated lung and sinus infections.

Because the overly thick mucus produced by cystic fibrosis can also block tubes needed to move digestive enzymes between the pancreas and small intestine, people living with the disease also suffer from digestive complications. The resulting lack of digestive enzymes hinders the body’s ability to absorb and use all of the nutrients of the food it processes, leading to low weight gain and stunted growth, severe constipation, and foul-smelling bowel movements. Newborns with cystic fibrosis have an increased chance of blocked intestines.

As a side effect of cystic fibrosis, the body produces more salt than normal. Individuals living with the disease will notice the strong salt taste of their sweat, and a person who kisses someone who has cystic fibrosis can usually note the higher salt content.

These symptoms represent only a fraction of the health issues individuals may experience. The disease causes a wide range of related health complications, which can cause serious damage to organs and normal bodily functions. Recurrent infections, abnormal sinus growths, and coughing up blood represent a few potential respiratory complications, in addition to collapsed lung and respiratory failure, while digestive system complications range from diabetes to liver disease, among many others. Additional complications include infertility in men, bone thinning, dehydration, and the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Cystic fibrosis can also increase a person’s risk of digestive tract cancer.

FAQs

What causes cystic fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis is caused by an inherited genetic mutation. It affects how the body produces mucus, sweat, and digestive fluids.

What are the most common symptoms of cystic fibrosis?

Common symptoms include chronic coughing, lung infections, digestive issues, and poor weight gain. Many people also experience fatigue and shortness of breath.

How does cystic fibrosis affect digestion?

The disease blocks digestive enzymes from reaching the intestines. This limits nutrient absorption and can lead to constipation and growth problems.

Can cystic fibrosis symptoms change over time?

Yes, symptoms often fluctuate between milder periods and severe flare-ups. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage progression.

Is cystic fibrosis detected early in life?

In the United States, newborn screening often identifies cystic fibrosis before symptoms appear. Some individuals, however, are diagnosed later with milder forms.

About Cody Lovins

Cody Lovins is a Houston, Texas-based entrepreneur and franchise owner with long-standing experience in multi-unit business operations. He owns and operates numerous Sports Clips locations and several Dogtopia franchises, overseeing growth, operations, and customer experience. Mr. Lovins holds a master of science in geological engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology. He is actively involved in philanthropic efforts, including support for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and enjoys outdoor activities, aviation, and time with family and friends.