Does CF cause mental health issues?

People with chronic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, are at greater risk for developing clinical depression. When left untreated, depression can interfere with your ability to manage your CF effectively and experience a better quality of life.

What behavior issues do people with cystic fibrosis have?

There are symptoms, treatments, work, family, emotions, and social experiences to cope with. Sometimes, patients may face barriers or challenges that may lead to anxiety or depression. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, anxiety is one of the most common emotional issues faced by these patients.

What type of health problems are associated with CF?

CF affects many different organs in the body, making people with the disease more likely to develop other health conditions including diabetes, cirrhosis (liver disease), arthritis, reflux, hypersplenism (overactive spleen), and osteoporosis.

Can cystic fibrosis cause anxiety?

Studies have shown that people with CF, as well as parents who take care of children with CF, are more likely to experience anxiety than people in the general population. People with CF and their caregivers who have anxiety are also more likely to experience depression as well.

How does cystic fibrosis affect social and emotional development?

As an adult with CF you may encounter a very different range of emotional and social experiences to your peers, such as coping with work or relationships and cystic fibrosis. Some people with CF may feel barriers to forming relationships, such as a lack of independence or embarrassment because of symptoms.

Invisible illness: Mental health | My CF

What is cystic fibrosis like psychologically?

Research has shown that people with CF and their families have increased rates of anxiety and depression compared to the general population. People experiencing anxiety and depression have poorer adherence to therapies and more health problems.

Does cystic fibrosis affect the brain?

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients present with a variety of symptoms, including mood and cognition deficits, in addition to classical respiratory, and autonomic issues. This suggests that brain injury, which can be examined with non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is a manifestation of this condition.

Is living with cystic fibrosis hard?

Handling the physical limitations of cystic fibrosis, coping with a shorter life expectancy, and dealing with a sometimes lesser quality of life are all huge parts of living with this disease. It is so important to understand but, regrettably, treating mental health issues is only now becoming a big focus in CF care.

How do you feel with cystic fibrosis?

How does cystic fibrosis make you feel?

Symptoms of cystic fibrosis include: recurring chest infections. wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and damage to the airways (bronchiectasis) difficulty putting on weight and growing.

Is CF considered a disability?

The Social Security Administration recognizes cystic fibrosis as a serious impairment in its Blue Book under Section 3.04. Applicants with cystic fibrosis are eligible for automatic approval of disability benefits if they suffer from poor lung function and repetitive lung infections.

How long does the average CF patient live?

Based on the 2021 CF Foundation Patient Registry data, the current life expectancy for CF patients born between 2017 and 2021 is 53 years — a substantial jump from a decade ago when the life expectancy was 38. Now, almost 60% of us are older than 18.

What is the oldest CF patient?

The oldest person in the United States diagnosed with CF for the first time was 82. Those who are not diagnosed with CF until later in life generally suffer from colds, sinus infections, pneumonia, stomach pains, and acid reflux. They may also have trouble gaining or keeping on weight.

What does a person with CF have to do everyday?

The average person with CF spends 2 to 3 hours each day going through their regimen of treatments when you include all treatments plus time for nutritious meals and fitness. Add in school, work, and family time and it's easy to understand why time management plays such a huge role in successfully living with CF.

What other problems can cystic fibrosis cause?

What activities should people with cystic fibrosis avoid?

Activities to avoid

These are scuba diving, skydiving, bungee jumping, and high-intensity activities at high altitudes. Those with an enlarged liver or spleen should avoid collision sports such as football, basketball, or soccer.

What causes a cystic fibrosis flare up?

As your body's immune system tries to fight these trapped germs, your lungs can become inflamed or swollen. Infections can cause CF symptoms to get worse for a period of time, also known as flare-ups. Over time, repeated infections may even cause lung damage.

How painful is cystic fibrosis?

Pain is an important part of cystic fibrosis disease in children and adults. Indeed, pain is reported in more than 60% of studies published last years. Further studies are necessary to create a specific pain assessment tool to evaluate pain and improve care.

Do people with cystic fibrosis get tired easily?

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms reported by people with cystic fibrosis (CF), and it causes significant distress in approximately one-third of this patient population.

What is end stage cystic fibrosis?

Common symptoms at the end of life include dyspnea, fatigue, anxiety, anorexia, pain, and cough (see Fast Facts #27, 199, 200). Care providers must balance benefit versus burden of disease-specific treatments such as nebulized medications, NIPPV, and chest physiotherapy.

What limitations does a person with cystic fibrosis have?

What kind of limitations does someone with CF have? People with CF can live very full, normal lives. There are no limitations to their exercise, diet, or activities. However, due to the different lung infections that they can get, they should not meet or talk with other patients with CF in-person.

Can people with cystic fibrosis have pets?

Children with Cystic Fibrosis can have a cat or a dog as long as they are not allergic to pet dander.

Does cystic fibrosis affect intelligence?

These thick secretions also obstruct the pancreas, preventing digestive enzymes from reaching the intestines to help break down and absorb food. Cystic fibrosis does not affect intelligence.

What organ is most affected by CF?

CF mainly affects the pancreas. The pancreas secretes substances that aid digestion and help control blood sugar levels. The secretions from the pancreas also become thick and can clog the ducts of the pancreas. This may cause a decrease in the secretion of enzymes from the pancreas that normally help digest food.

What is the most serious complication of cystic fibrosis?

The most serious and common complications of cystic fibrosis are problems with the lungs, also known as pulmonary or respiratory problems, which may include serious lung infections.