Page "Cystic fibrosis" Paragraph 9

In later stages, changes in the architecture of the lung, such as pathology in the major airways ( bronchiectasis ), further exacerbate difficulties in breathing.

Other symptoms include coughing up blood ( hemoptysis ), high blood pressure in the lung ( pulmonary hypertension ), heart failure, difficulties getting enough oxygen to the body ( hypoxia ), and respiratory failure requiring support with breathing masks, such as bilevel positive airway pressure machines or ventilators.

Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the three most common organisms causing lung infections in CF patients.

In addition to typical bacterial infections, people with CF more commonly develop other types of lung disease.

Among these is allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, in which the body's response to the common fungus Aspergillus fumigatus causes worsening of breathing problems.

Another is infection with Mycobacterium avium complex ( MAC ), a group of bacteria related to tuberculosis, which can cause a lot of lung damage and does not respond to common antibiotics.