Some people who become infected with cepacia do not show any adverse effects, while others show a marked decline in health or die from it. There are other potential lung complications associated with cystic fibrosis. Pneumothorax is a collapsed lung. This occurs when the lung somehow becomes detached from the chest cavity and can no longer inflate. This is usually treated with the insertion of a chest tube for a few days until the lining of the chest cavity is able to reseal itself to the lung.
Hemoptysis refers to coughing up blood from the lungs.
It can be caused by a variety of things including infections, dry air, stress and certain medications. As the lung function in a person with CF decreases, they may want to consider a lung transplant. There are two kinds of transplants - from a deceased donor or a living donor. Each person has five lobes in their lungs - three on one side and two on the other. The living donor transplant is a relatively new procedure that is still very controversial.