Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease that causes the body to produce mucus that's extremely thick and sticky. The mucus in people with CF is thicker than normal because CF affects cells in the epithelium, the layer of cells that lines the passages in the body's organs. In a person with CF, the thicker mucus doesn't move as easily. This thick, sticky mucus clogs passages in many of the body's organs and infection sets in. Because the mucus can block the path between the pancreas and the intestines, people with CF have trouble digesting food and getting the vitamins and nutrients they need from it.
People with CF get frequent lung infections that can damage their lungs over time and require strong antibiotics along with stays in the hospital. They may have trouble growing or gaining weight because of digestive problems. The ends of the toes and fingers may become rounded and enlarged, a condition that's called clubbing.
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