What is cystic fibrosis?
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease affecting cells that produce mucus in the lungs or the digestive system. CF causes mucus or fluids to become thicker than normal inside the lungs and gut. This causes body passageways to become plugged up, causing damage to these organs. In addition, CF can have an effect on gastrointestinal (GI) motility, causing the stomach, small bowel and colon to slow down. This is called GI dysmotility
Research has shown that about 38% of people with cystic fibrosis also have gastroparesis. According to the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), about 10 men and 38 women of every 100,000 people have GP. The impact that GP has on a person depends on multiple factors which include gender, body mass, symptoms, and the degree of stomach delay. Learn more about this overlap.
