Symptoms of hearing loss

It’s not always easy to tell if you’re losing your hearing.

Common signs include:

• difficulty hearing other people clearly and misunderstanding what they say, especially in noisy places
• needing to ask people to repeat themselves
• listening to music or watching TV with the volume higher than other people need
• difficulty hearing on the phone
• finding it hard to keep up with a conversation
• feeling tired or stressed from having to concentrate while listening

Sometimes someone else might notice problems with your hearing before you do.

Hearing loss can affect a child’s speech development and progress at school.

Information:

Hearing loss in babies

Hearing loss can be harder to spot in babies. There is a checklist for how a baby makes and reacts to sound on GOV.UK that can help you notice the signs.

Causes of hearing loss

There are lots of possible causes of hearing loss. It may be caused by something treatable or it may be permanent.

Your symptoms may give you an idea what could be causing it. But do not self-diagnose, see a GP for advice.

Non-urgent advice:See a GP if:

• you think your hearing is getting gradually worse
• you’ve had treatment for an ear infection or earwax build-up but your hearing has not come back

You can also sometimes get a free hearing test at some pharmacies and opticians.

Urgent advice:Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

• you have sudden hearing loss in 1 or both ears
• your hearing has been getting worse over the last few days or weeks
• you have hearing loss along with other symptoms, such as earache or discharge coming out of the ear

It might not be anything serious, but it’s best to get help as it may need to be treated quickly.

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Information:

Online hearing test

Check your hearing with the RNID’s free online hearing test

Treatments for hearing loss

Treatment for hearing loss depends on what’s causing it.

Sometimes a GP may be able to treat the cause, for example:

• an ear infection might be treated with antibiotics
• an earwax build-up might be treated with ear drops or removed

If your hearing loss is not caused by something a GP can treat, they may refer you to a hearing specialist for further tests and treatment.

Hearing aids and implants

If you have permanent hearing loss, a specialist will often recommend hearing aids. These will not make your hearing perfect, but they make sounds louder and clearer.

Some people may need a hearing implant. These are devices that are attached to your skull or placed deep inside your ear.

Find out more about hearing aids and implants

Things you can do if you have hearing loss

If you have hearing loss, there are things you can do to help you communicate with others and avoid more damage to your hearing.

Do

• reduce background noise or move to a quieter area when talking to other people
• face people when they’re talking to you, so you can see their mouth, facial expressions and gestures
• ask people to repeat themselves, speak more slowly and clearly or write things down if you need them to
• ask a GP or specialist about tools or devices that can help, such as telephone and television amplifiers, flashing or vibrating alarms, and apps for smartphones or tablets
• wear ear protection when exposed to loud noises

Don’t

• do not listen to music too loudly – the volume should be just high enough for you to hear it comfortably
• do not put your fingers or any objects like cotton buds in your ears, even if you think they might be blocked

The post Hearing loss first appeared on Applied Medical Sciences.

1. Overview
2. Symptoms
3. Causes
4. Diagnosis
5. Management

It’s not always possible to treat the underlying causes of deafblindness, but a range of care and support services is available to help people with the condition.

Most deafblind people will still have some hearing or vision. The level of care and support they need will depend on the severity of their hearing and vision problems.

Individual care plan

The individual abilities and needs of a deafblind person should be assessed soon after they’re diagnosed. This will allow a tailored care plan to be drawn up.

The care plan will aim to:

• preserve and maximise any remaining sensory functions the person has
• teach alternative communication methods such as the Deafblind Manual
• help the person retain as much independence as possible – for example, by recommending they receive training to use a long cane or guide dog or through the provision of a communicator guide
• for young children, ensure their educational needs are met

Some of the main services, techniques and treatments that may be recommended as part of a care plan are outlined below.

Want to know more?

• Sense: Assessments for care and support

Communication systems

As deafblindness can make communicating by speech and writing difficult, alternative forms of communication may be necessary.

The main communication systems used by deafblind people include:

• clear speech – speaking clearly is one of the most effective and common ways of communicating with deafblind people who have some remaining vision and hearing
• Deafblind Manual – a tactile form of communication where words are spelt onto the deafblind person’s hand using set positions and movements
• block alphabet – a simple tactile form of communication where a word is spelt out in capital letters that are drawn onto the deafblind person’s palm
• hands-on signing – an adapted version of British Sign Language (BSL) where the deafblind person feels what’s being signed by placing their hands on top of the signer’s hand
• visual frame signing – an adapted version of sign language where the person communicating signs in a smaller area to match a deafblind person’s field of vision
• braille – a system that uses a series of raised dots to represent letters or groups of letters
• Moon – similar to Braille, but uses raised lines and curves similar to the print alphabet

Want to know more?

• How to care for someone with communication difficulties
• Sense: Ways of communicating

Vision aids

For some deafblind people, it may be possible to improve vision using low vision aids, such as glasses, magnifying lenses and task lights.

Specially designed items, such as telephones and keyboards, may also help someone who is visually impaired.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has more information about everyday living with vision loss. Read the RNIB’s information about technology to help with everyday tasks.

Many libraries stock a selection of large-print books and “talking books”, where the text is read aloud and recorded onto a CD. The RNIB also offers a talking book subscription service, where books can be ordered and delivered directly to your home or downloaded free of charge.

Want to know more?

• Blindness and vision loss
• RNIB: Technology and useful products

Hearing aids and implants

Some deafblind people may benefit from wearing a hearing aid. There are various hearing aid styles available to suit different types of hearing loss and personal preference.

Hearing aids use microphones to pick up sound from the environment, amplify it and deliver it into the ear canal so that it can be processed by the auditory system. An audiologist (hearing specialist) will be able to recommend the most suitable type of aid after testing your hearing.

For some people, hearing aids that deliver the sound into the ear canal are not appropriate. In these cases, hearing may be improved using a surgically implanted hearing system, such as a cochlear implant or bone anchored hearing implant.

While these still use a microphone to collect the sound initially, they then convert that sound into either an electrical signal or vibration, passing it to the inner or middle ear for processing by the auditory system.

Want to know more?

• Hearing loss
• Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID): Hearing aids

One-to-one support

Every deafblind person is entitled to help from a specially trained one-to-one support worker if they need it.

Depending on the person’s situation, this may be a:

• communicator guide – someone who works with people who have become deafblind later in life, to offer the support the person needs to live independently and act as an interpreter
• intervenor – someone who works with children and adults who were born deafblind, to help them experience and join in the world around them as much as possible

Want to know more?

• Sense: Community support

Treating underlying conditions

Some conditions that affect hearing and vision can be treated using medication or surgery. For example:

• cataracts can often be treated by surgically implanting an artificial lens in the eye – read more about cataract surgery
• glaucoma can often be treated using eye drops or laser surgery – read more about glaucoma
• diabetic retinopathy can be treated in the early stages using laser surgery – read more about treating diabetic retinopathy

Some causes of temporary hearing loss are also treatable, such as earwax build-up or ear infections.

The post Management-Deafblindness first appeared on Applied Medical Sciences.

1. Overview
2. Symptoms
3. Causes
4. Diagnosis
5. Management

Deafblindness may be detected soon after a baby is born, or after tests carried out later in life.

Speak to your GP if you have any concerns about your or your child’s hearing or vision at any point.

If you’re worried about a family member or friend, try to encourage them to speak to their GP.

Newborn screening

If your baby is born deafblind, this will usually be picked up during newborn screening.

These are a series of checks carried out to see if your baby has any serious health problems from birth, including any problems with their eyes or hearing.

If no problems are picked up at this stage, they may be detected during routine checks as your child gets older. Read more about hearing tests and eye tests for children.

Hearing and vision tests for adults

In most cases, deafblindness develops as a person gets older. It can happen gradually, so you may not notice that your vision and/or hearing are getting worse at first.

It’s therefore important to have routine eye tests to check for any problems. Adults should usually have their eyes tested every 2 years.

You can request a hearing test at your GP surgery at any point if you think you may be losing your hearing. Read more about hearing tests.

A person may be diagnosed with deafblindness if tests show they have both hearing and vision problems.

Their hearing and vision should continue to be regularly assessed even after they’ve been diagnosed, as the level of care and support they need will depend on how severely each sense is affected.

Specialist assessment

As soon as deafblindness has been identified, a specialist assessment should be arranged by the local authority.

The assessment should only be carried out by a specially trained professional who can identify the deafblind person’s abilities and needs. The assessment should include assessing their needs in relation to:

• communication
• one-to-one human contact
• social interaction
• emotional wellbeing
• support with mobility
• assistive technology
• rehabilitation

The assessment will also take into account the person’s current needs and those that develop in the future.

A deafblind person should have access to services suitable to their level of hearing and sight and their individual needs. Mainstream services aimed mainly at blind or deaf people may not always be appropriate.

Read more about the treatments and services available for deafblind people.

The charity Sense also has more information about assessments for care and support for adults living with a disability.

The post Diagnosis-Deafblindness first appeared on Applied Medical Sciences.

1. Overview
2. Symptoms
3. Causes
4. Diagnosis
5. Management

There are many possible causes of deafblindness. The condition can either be present at birth or develop later in life.

Deafblindness from birth

Deafblindness from birth is known as congenital deafblindness.

It can be caused by:

• problems associated with premature birth (birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy)
• an infection in a baby in the womb, such as rubella (german measles), toxoplasmosis or cytomegalovirus (CMV)
• genetic conditions, such as Down’s syndrome or CHARGE syndrome – read more about CHARGE syndrome from Sense
• cerebral palsy – a problem with the brain and nervous system that mainly affects movement and co-ordination
• foetal alcohol spectrum disorder – health problems caused by drinking alcohol in pregnancy

Deafblindness later in life

In most cases, deafblindness develops later in life. This is known as acquired deafblindness.

A person with acquired deafblindness may be born without a hearing or sight problem and then later loses part or all of both senses.

Alternatively, someone may be born with either a hearing or vision problem, and then later loses part or all of the other sense.

Problems that can contribute to acquired deafblindness include:

• age-related hearing loss
• Usher syndrome, a genetic condition that affects hearing, vision and balance – read more about Usher syndrome from Sense
• eye problems associated with increasing age, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts and glaucoma
• diabetic retinopathy – a complication of diabetes where the cells lining the back of the eye are damaged by high blood sugar levels
• damage to the brain, such as from meningitis, encephalitis, a stroke or severe head injury

The post Causes-Deafblindness first appeared on Applied Medical Sciences.

1. Overview
2. Symptoms
3. Causes
4. Diagnosis
5. Management

A person who’s deafblind won’t usually be totally deaf and totally blind, but both senses will be reduced enough to cause difficulties with everyday activities.

The hearing or vision problems may be present from birth, but in many cases one or both problems develop gradually as a person gets older and they may not notice it at first.

If someone you know has a combination of the signs on this page, it’s possible they have some degree of deafblindness and should seek medical advice.

Signs of a hearing problem

Hearing loss can occur from birth or may develop gradually or suddenly later on.

Signs that someone may have a problem with their hearing include:

• not hearing you if you speak to them from behind
• needing to turn up the volume on the television or radio
• difficulty following a conversation – particularly if several people are speaking or the person they’re speaking to is unfamiliar
• not hearing noises around them, such as a knock at the door or the doorbell ringing
• asking others to speak loudly, slowly and more clearly
• leaning in very close to hear what’s being said

If someone already has a hearing problem – for example, they wear a hearing aid or use sign language – keep an eye out for signs of vision problems that could develop.

Signs of a vision problem

Vision loss can also be present from birth or develop later on.

Signs someone may have a problem with their vision include:

• problems seeing in low light or bright light
• difficulty recognising people they know
• finding it hard to read facial expressions
• relying on touch to find and identify items more than usual
• needing to hold books or newspapers close to their face, or sitting near the television
• difficulty moving around unfamiliar places – they may bump into or trip over things regularly
• not looking directly at you or making proper eye contact

If a person already has a problem with their vision – for example, they wear glasses, use a cane to get around, or have a condition such as glaucoma or cataracts – be alert for signs of hearing problems that could develop.

Getting medical advice

Visit your GP if you notice any deterioration in your hearing or eyesight.

If you’re worried about a friend or family member’s vision and hearing, encourage them to speak to their GP.

It’s best to seek advice as soon as possible, as treatment for some underlying causes of deafblindness can be more effective if started early.

Early diagnosis will also ensure the person is able to access local support services sooner, and enable them to plan for the future (such as learning new communication methods).

The post Symptoms-Deafblindness first appeared on Applied Medical Sciences.

1. Overview
2. Symptoms
3. Causes
4. Diagnosis
5. Management

Deafblindness is a combination of sight and hearing loss that affects a person’s ability to communicate, access information and get around.

It’s also sometimes called “dual sensory loss” or “multi-sensory impairment”.

A deafblind person won’t usually be totally deaf and totally blind, but both senses will be reduced enough to cause significant difficulties in everyday life.

These problems can occur even if hearing loss and vision loss are mild, as the senses work together and one would usually help compensate for loss of the other.

Signs of deafblindness

Deafblindness most commonly affects older adults, although it can affect people of all ages, including babies and young children.

In older people, it may develop gradually and the person themselves may not realise their vision and/or hearing is getting worse at first.

Signs of a problem can include:

• needing to turn up the volume on the television or radio
• difficulty following a conversation
• not hearing noises such as a knock at the door
• asking others to speak loudly, slowly and more clearly
• needing to hold books or newspapers very close, or sitting close to the television
• difficulty moving around unfamiliar places

If someone already has either a hearing or vision problem, it’s important to look out for signs that suggest the other sense may be getting worse too.

Read more about the symptoms of deafblindness.

Seeing your GP

Visit your GP if you think your hearing or eyesight may be getting worse.

If you’re worried about a friend or family member, encourage them to speak to their GP.

It’s best to seek advice as soon as possible, as treatment for some underlying causes of deafblindness can be more effective if started early. Early diagnosis will also ensure the person is able to access local support services sooner.

Read more about diagnosing and assessing deafblindness.

What causes deafblindness?

There are many potential causes of deafblindness. Some babies are born deafblind, but in many cases the hearing and/or vision loss occurs later in life.

Causes of deafblindness include:

• age-related hearing loss
• genetic conditions, such as Usher syndrome – read more about Usher syndrome from Sense
• an infection in a baby in the womb, such as rubella (german measles)
• cerebral palsy – a problem with the brain and nervous system that mainly affects movement and co-ordination
• eye problems associated with increasing age, such as cataracts

Read more about the causes of deafblindness.

Living with deafblindness

A range of care and support services is available to help deafblind people.

Each deafblind person will have a different level of hearing and sight loss, which means they’ll have their own individual care needs.

The general aims of care for a deafblind person are to:

• preserve and maximise any remaining sight or hearing the person has – this could involve treating underlying conditions like cataracts, wearing glasses or using a hearing aid or implant
• teach alternative methods of communication – such as hands-on signing or braille
• help retain or develop as much independence as possible – for example, by training the person to use a long cane, a guide dog or offering a communicator guide

Your local authority should arrange an assessment to determine exactly what care and support is needed.

The post Overview-Deafblindness first appeared on Applied Medical Sciences.

Symptoms of dandruff

The flakes are often more noticeable in darker hair and if they fall from your scalp onto your shoulders.

Your scalp may also feel dry and itchy.

How to treat dandruff yourself

Use an anti-dandruff shampoo to treat dandruff. There are several different types you can buy from pharmacies or supermarkets.

Look for a shampoo that contains 1 of these ingredients:

• zinc pyrithione
• selenium sulphide (or selenium sulfide)
• ketoconazole
• coal tar with salicylic acid

A pharmacist can tell you how to use the shampoo.

Use the shampoo for a month to see if your dandruff gets better. You might need to try more than 1 type to find a shampoo that works for you.

Find a pharmacy

Non-urgent advice:See a GP if:

• you still have dandruff symptoms after using anti-dandruff shampoo for a month
• your dandruff is bad or your scalp is very itchy
• your scalp is red or swollen
• you have flaky, itchy patches on your face or other parts of your body

The GP can check your scalp for skin conditions that could be causing your dandruff.

Causes of dandruff

Dandruff is not caused by poor hygiene, although it may be more obvious if you do not wash your hair regularly.

Stress and cold weather may also make dandruff worse.

The post Dandruff first appeared on Applied Medical Sciences.

Symptoms of cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) does not usually cause any symptoms and most people do not realise they have it.

Some people get flu-like symptoms the first time they get CMV, including:

• a high temperature
• aching muscles
• tiredness
• a skin rash
• feeling sick
• a sore throat
• swollen glands

They usually get better without treatment within about 3 weeks.

Non-urgent advice:See a GP if:

You have symptoms of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and:

• you’re pregnant
• you have a weakened immune system – for example, because you’re having chemotherapy

The GP may arrange tests to find out if you’ve been infected with CMV.

Complications of cytomegalovirus (CMV)

When a baby is born with a CMV infection, it’s known as congenital CMV.

Most babies with congenital CMV do not have any symptoms.

But congenital CMV can sometimes cause problems, including:

• a rash
• yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• a low birth weight
• a smaller head than usual (microcephaly)
• seizures (fits)
• hearing problems in 1 or both ears
• problems with the eyes
• problems with the liver and spleen

Babies born with congenital CMV may have tests to check their kidneys, liver, brain, eyes and hearing, and regular follow-up appointments until they’re around 5 years old.

Information:

Find out more

• CMV Action

How cytomegalovirus (CMV) is spread

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is mainly spread through close contact with someone who already has it.

You can pass it on through contact with body fluids, including saliva, blood, breast milk, pee and poo, and through sex.

CMV can only be passed on when it’s active. The virus is active when:

• you get CMV for the first time – young children often get CMV for the first time at nursery
• the virus has reactivated because you have a weakened immune system
• you’ve been reinfected with a different type (strain) of CMV

Congenital CMV is caused by passing on an active CMV infection to your unborn baby during pregnancy.

Treatment for cytomegalovirus (CMV)

If cytomegalovirus (CMV) is not causing symptoms, you or your baby may not need any treatment.

There’s currently no treatment for CMV in pregnancy, but in most cases the virus does not cause any problems.

Antiviral medicine may be used to treat:

• babies diagnosed with congenital CMV after they’re born
• people with a weakened immune system
• people who have had a stem cell transplant or organ transplant

Treatment weakens the virus and lowers the chance of serious problems, but it does not cure the CMV infection.

Things you can do to lower the chance of getting cytomegalovirus (CMV) in pregnancy

The best way to lower the chance of getting cytomegalovirus (CMV) during pregnancy is to:

• wash your hands using soap and water – especially after changing nappies, feeding young children or wiping their nose
• regularly wash toys or other items that may have young children’s saliva or pee on them
• avoid sharing food, cutlery and drinking glasses, or putting a child’s dummy in your mouth
• avoid kissing young children on their mouth

There’s currently no vaccine for CMV.

Important

Pregnant women who work closely with children or already have a young family are more at risk of getting CMV.

The post Cytomegalovirus (CMV) first appeared on Applied Medical Sciences.

Some people get cystitis frequently and may need regular or long-term treatment.

Symptoms of cystitis

Symptoms of cystitis include:

• pain, burning or stinging when you pee
• needing to pee more often and urgently than usual
• pee that’s dark, cloudy or strong smelling
• pain low down in your tummy

Symptoms in young children may also include:

• a high temperature – they feel hotter than usual if you touch their neck, back or tummy
• wetting themselves
• reduced appetite and being sick
• weakness and irritability

In older, frail people with cognitive impairment (such as dementia) and people with a urinary catheter, symptoms may also include:

• changes in behaviour, such as acting confused or agitated (delirium)
• wetting themselves more than usual
• shivering or shaking (rigors)

Non-urgent advice:See a GP if:

• you think you have cystitis and your symptoms have not gone away within 3 days
• your symptoms have not gone away after treatment with antibiotics
• you have severe cystitis symptoms, such as severe pain in your lower tummy
• you get cystitis symptoms frequently
• you have symptoms of cystitis and you’re pregnant or you’re a man
• your child has symptoms of cystitis

Urgent advice:Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

You think you or someone else has cystitis and:

• a high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
• a low temperature, or shaking and shivering
• pain in the lower tummy or in the back, just under the ribs
• are confused, drowsy or have difficulty speaking
• are feeling or being sick
• have not had a pee all day
• blood in your pee

These symptoms could mean you have a kidney infection, which can be serious if it’s not treated as it could cause sepsis.

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Treatment from a GP

If you have cystitis, a GP may:

• offer self-care advice and recommend taking a painkiller
• do a urine test, although this is not always needed
• give you a prescription for a 3-day course of antibiotics
• give you a prescription for antibiotics but suggest you wait for 48 hours before taking them, in case your symptoms go away on their own

Treatment for cystitis that keeps coming back

If you keep getting cystitis, a GP may prescribe:

• a single-dose antibiotic to take within 2 hours of having sex, if you’ve noticed sex triggers cystitis
• a low-dose antibiotic to take for up to 6 months
• a vaginal oestrogen cream, if you have gone through the menopause

In some women, antibiotics do not work or urine tests do not pick up an infection even though you have cystitis symptoms.

This may mean you have a long-term (chronic) bladder infection that is not picked up by current urine tests. Ask the GP for a referral to a specialist for further tests and treatment.

Long-term infections are linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer in people aged 60 and over.

Things you can try yourself

If you have mild symptoms of cystitis, it can help to:

• take paracetamol up to 4 times a day to reduce pain
• give children paracetamol – follow the instructions on the bottle
• drink plenty of water
• hold a hot water bottle over your lower tummy
• avoid having sex
• avoid drinks that may irritate your bladder, like fruit juices, coffee and alcohol
• pee frequently

Some people take cystitis sachets or cranberry drinks and products every day to prevent cystitis from happening, which might help. However, there’s no evidence they help ease symptoms or treat cystitis if the infection has already started.

A pharmacist can help with cystitis

You can ask a pharmacist about treatments for cystitis. A pharmacist can:

• offer advice on things that can help you get better
• suggest the best painkiller to take
• tell you if you need to see a GP about your symptoms

Some pharmacies offer a cystitis management service. They may be able to give antibiotics if they’re needed.

Find a pharmacy

Causes of cystitis

Cystitis is usually caused by bacteria from poo getting into the tube that carries urine out of your body (urethra).

Women have a shorter urethra than men. This means bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder and cause an infection.

Things that increase the chance of bacteria getting into the bladder include:

• having sex
• wiping your bottom from back to front after going to the toilet
• urinary catheters (a tube in your bladder used to drain urine)
• using spermicide with contraception
• conditions that block the urinary tract, such as kidney stones
• being pregnant
• conditions that make it difficult to fully empty the bladder, such as an enlarged prostate gland in men
• having been through the menopause
• having diabetes
• having a weakened immune system

How to prevent cystitis

If you get cystitis frequently, there are some things you can try to help prevent it returning.

Do

• wipe from front to back when you go to the toilet
• pee as soon as possible after sex
• drink plenty of fluids, especially water – so that you pee regularly during the day and do not feel thirsty
• have a shower rather than a bath – this stops exposing your genitals to cleaning products for too long
• wash the skin outside the vagina (vulva) with water before and after sex
• change soiled nappies or incontinence pads promptly
• keep the genital area clean and dry

Don’t

• do not use scented soap, bubble bath or talcum powder
• do not use spermicide with diaphragm or condoms – try non-spermicidal lube or different type of contraception
• do not hold your pee in if you feel the urge to go
• do not rush when going for a pee – try to fully empty your bladder
• do not drink lots of alcoholic drinks or coffee – they may irritate your bladder
• do not have lots of sugary foods or drinks – they may encourage bacteria to grow

Other ways to prevent cystitis coming back

If you keep getting cystitis, there is some evidence you may find it helpful to take:

• D-mannose – a sugar you can buy as a powder or tablets to take every day
• cranberry products – available as juice, tablets or capsules to take every day

Be aware that D-mannose and cranberry products can contain a lot of sugar. If you’re taking warfarin, you should avoid cranberry products.

The post Cystitis first appeared on Applied Medical Sciences.

Symptoms of cystic fibrosis

If you have cystic fibrosis, your body makes a thick sticky mucus that can affect your lungs and digestive system. This can cause lots of symptoms and make you more likely to get infections.

Symptoms affecting your lungs include:

• a cough that does not go away and brings up mucus
• wheezing and shortness of breath
• frequent sinus infections (sinusitis) and chest infections

Symptoms affecting your digestive system include:

• constipation
• stomach pain, bloating and swelling
• large, greasy and sticky poos that are hard to flush away

Cystic fibrosis can affect other parts of your body and cause other symptoms, such as:

• in children, not growing as quickly as expected
• in adults, losing weight without trying to
• swollen fingertips and rounder nails
• very salty sweat, which can leave small crystals on your skin

Cystic fibrosis is usually found shortly after birth as part of the NHS newborn screening programme.

But if the condition goes undiagnosed, symptoms may only become noticeable when a child is a teenager.

Non-urgent advice:See a GP if:

• you or your child have symptoms of cystic fibrosis and you’ve not been diagnosed with it
• you’re worried about your child’s growth and development
• you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy and someone in your or your partner’s family has cystic fibrosis

Causes of cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited genetic condition. It’s caused by an altered gene being passed on to a child by both of their parents.

The altered gene causes mucus in the body to become thick and sticky.

If the child only gets an altered gene from 1 parent, they will not have symptoms but they could pass the condition on to any children they have, if their partner also has the altered gene. This is called being a carrier.

If 2 carriers have a baby, then there is a:

• 1 in 4 (25%) chance their child will have cystic fibrosis
• 2 in 4 (50%) chance their child will not get cystic fibrosis but will be a carrier
• 1 in 4 (25%) chance their child will not get cystic fibrosis or be a carrier

Genetic counselling

If either you or your partner are carriers or have cystic fibrosis, then you can ask for genetic counselling. This is when you talk to a specialist about having a baby, who can give you more detailed information about your options.

Your GP or care team should be able to give you more information about genetic counselling.

Information:

Find out more

Cystic Fibrosis Trust: what are the causes of cystic fibrosis?

How cystic fibrosis is diagnosed

Cystic fibrosis is one of the conditions that all babies are checked for as part of the newborn blood spot test.

Tell the person taking the test if anyone in your family has cystic fibrosis.

If the test suggests your baby may have cystic fibrosis, they’ll have another test to check the level of salt in their sweat. People with cystic fibrosis usually have high levels of salt in their sweat.

Older children and adults who might have cystic fibrosis will have a blood test followed by a sweat test to check for the condition.

Carrier testing

If a relative has cystic fibrosis or is a known carrier, you can arrange to be tested yourself for the gene. This is known as carrier testing.

You can also ask for carrier testing if your partner has cystic fibrosis or is a known carrier.

Information:

Find out more

Cystic Fibrosis Trust: carrier testing

Treatments for cystic fibrosis

There is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis. But there are treatments that can help ease symptoms.

You’ll be supported by different healthcare professionals. This may include specialist nurses and doctors, a physiotherapist and a dietitian.

Medicines for cystic fibrosis

Medicines that may be used to treat cystic fibrosis include:

• medicines called CFTR modulators that help the lungs work better by reducing the effect the altered cystic fibrosis gene has on cells in the lungs
• medicines to widen your airways and make breathing easier, or make it easier to cough up mucus
• antibiotics for infections
• steroid medicine to reduce inflammation in the airways

Treatment and support for symptoms of cystic fibrosis

You may also need other treatments to help relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of complications.

These include:

• physiotherapy – a physiotherapist can teach you ways you can improve your breathing and posture to help clear mucus from your lungs
• medical devices – devices such as inhalers and specially designed masks can help with breathing and mucus clearance
• dietary and nutritional support – a dietitian can provide advice on a high-energy diet that is easy to digest and you may be given supplements to help your digestion

Some people may eventually need a lung transplant if other treatments are not controlling their symptoms, although this is not suitable for everyone.

Information:

Find out more

• Cystic Fibrosis Trust: treatments and medications
• Cystic Fibrosis Trust: lung transplant FAQs

How cystic fibrosis affects your life

Cystic fibrosis currently has no cure and can shorten your life.

However, new treatments mean the symptoms can often be managed and many people diagnosed with the condition today will live well past middle-age.

Living with cystic fibrosis can be hard, but having the condition does not always mean you cannot do things like go to school, have a family or get a job.

Cystic fibrosis requires life-long care. If you or your child are diagnosed with it, you will usually be referred to your nearest NHS cystic fibrosis care team.

These teams are made up of different health professionals, usually based in larger NHS hospitals, who can provide treatment, support and advice on living with cystic fibrosis.

The post Cystic fibrosis first appeared on Applied Medical Sciences.