3 Times Cystic Fibrosis Gets Misdiagnosed in Black Women

Cystic fibrosis is a rare genetic disorder that only affects about 30,000 Americans, When it comes to Black people, the numbers are even smaller as approximately five percent of those affected by the condition are Black American. Unfortunately, these statistics mean that Black people who have cystic fibrosis may not get diagnosed as quickly as they should. In fact, most of them are misdiagnosed with different illnesses and given treatment that doesn’t address their symptoms.  3 Conditions People With Cystic Fibrosis are Misdiagnosed With 1. Asthma Cystic fibrosis affects the lungs by causing mucus to build up in them. If this happens, you may experience wheezing and shortness of breath. Since these symptoms are characteristic of asthma, you may get diagnosed with that instead of cystic fibrosis. Depending on the severity of the lung issues, you may get diagnosed with COPD instead. 2. Digestive Disorders The mucus from cystic fibrosis can also affect the digestive system. If the symptoms are mild, you’ll have indigestion with the occasional bouts of constipation or diarrhea. In this case, it’s easy to see why your doctor might think you’re dealing with a digestive disorder or food intolerance. The difference is that the usual treatments...