Cystic fibrosis is a common condition affecting the respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems. The condition causes the body to produce thick secretions that affect lung function, food absorption, and fertility. Mature aged people with cystic fibrosis can also develop diabetes due to deficient insulin production as a result of food absorption problems.
Symptoms and characteristics
Symptoms of cystic fibrosis include:
- frequent visits to the toilet
- persistent cough, particularly with physical effort
- poor appetite
- salt loss in hot weather which may produce weakness
- some difficulty in breathing or wheezing with physical effort
- tiredness, lethargy or an impaired exercise ability.
Statistics
In 2006 approximately 3000 people in Australia had cystic fibrosis, a disorder affecting males and females equally (Cystic Fibrosis in Australia 2007).
Workplace solutions and adjustments
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
References
Better Health Channel 2006, Cystic fibrosis, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 17 March 2007,
<http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Cystic_fibrosis?open>.
Cystic Fibrosis in Australia 2007, Symptoms, Cystic Fibrosis in Australia, North Ryde, viewed 17 March 2007, <http://www.cysticfibrosisnsw.org.au/aboutcf/symptom/>.
Cystic Fibrosis in Australia 2007, Causes, Cystic Fibrosis in Australia, North Ryde, viewed 17 March 2007,<http://www.cysticfibrosisnsw.org.au/aboutcf/causes/>.