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Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis - Coggle Diagram
Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis
Increased chance of lung infection
Microorganisms become trapped in the mucus in the lungs and some of these can cause illness (pathogens)
Due to the mucus layer being so sticky that the cilia are unable to move it
The mucus layer thickens and there is very little oxygen in the mucus because oxygen diffuses through it slowly
Harmful bacteria thrives in these conditions
White blood cells fight the infections within the mucus but as they die they break down and release DNA that makes the mucus sticker
How the sticky mucus affects gas exchange
The sticky mucus layer in the bronchioles of a person with CF tends to block the narrow airways
This prevents movement of air into the alveoli further than the blockage
This reduces the number of alveoli providing a larger surface area for gas exchange
Blockages are more likely to occur at the narrow ends of the airways. They often allow air to pass when the person breathes in but not when they breathe out, this results in over-inflation of the lung tissue beyond the blockage. This can damage the elasticity of the lungs.
People with CF find it difficult to take part in physical activity because their gas exchange system cannot deliver enough oxygen to their muscle cells
The oxygen is needed for the chemical processes of aerobic respiration that release the energy used to drive the contractions of the muscles during exercise
People with CF become short of breath when doing exercise although exercise is beneficial to them
Effects on membranes of the cells that line the airways
The cells that line the airways produce mucus
In those who do not have CF the water content of the mucus is continuously regulated to maintain a constant viscosity of the mucus
It must be runny enough to be moved by the cilia but not so runny that the fluid floods the airway
Thus regulation of the water content of the mucus is achieved by the transport of Na & Cl ions across the epithelial cells. Water then follows the ions by osmosis
Effects of CF on the digestive system
Cystic fibrosis sufferers have difficulty maintaining body mass because of problems with the digestion and absorption of nutrients. They also have high basal metabolic rates
People with CF may also take food supplements that contain digestive enzymes. The aim of these supplements is to help break down large food molecules.
Most of the chemical breakdown of food molecules and the absorption of the soluble products into the bloodstream occurs in the small intestine.
Glands secrete digestive enzymes into the lumen of the gut, where they act as catalysts to speed up the extracellular breakdown of the food molecules. Exocrine glands outside the gut produce a wide range of enzymes. Enzymes are also built into the membranes of the gut wall
Groups of pancreatic cells produce enzymes that help in the breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. These digestive enzymes are delivered to the gut in pancreatic juice and released through the pancreatic duct. The pancreas is also an endocrine gland.
Different groups of pancreatic cells release hormones, inc. insulin which is involved in regulating blood sugar levels.
In a person with CF, the pancreatic duct becomes blocked by sticky mucus, damaging the release of digestive enzymes. The lower conc. of enzymes within the small intestine reduces the rate of digestion.
Food is not fully digested so not all the nutrients can be absorbed because of this the faeces contain a higher proportion of partially digested and undigested food, so energy is lost.
An additional complication occurs when the pancreatic enzymes become trapped behind the mucus blocking the pancreatic duct. These enzymes damage the pancreas itself. The cysts of hard, damaged or fibrosed tissue within the pancreas give the CF condition its name.
Another complication occurs if damage occurs to the cells within the pancreas that produce the hormone insulin.
They generally have poor appetites but still have to eat more than most people including high energy food to make sure they get sufficient nutrients & energy. They require 120-140% of the recommended daily energy intake
Effect of CF on the reproductive system
Females have reduced hance of becoming pregnant because a mucus plug develops in the cervix. This stops sperm from reaching the egg
Males with CF commonly lack the sperm duct on both sides, which means that sperm cannot leave the testes. Where the sperm duct s present it can become partially blocked by a thick mucus layer. This means fewer sperm are present in each ejaculation