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It is a genetic disease that mostly cause effect on the body. It affects the internal organs such as the pancreas, liver, lungs, intestine and sex organ.
According to MedicalNewsToday, there is currently no cure for CF. It affects some 30,000 people in the United States (U.S.) with around 1,000 new cases diagnosed each year.
Seventy-five percent of these new diagnoses are made in children under the age of 2 years.
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What causes cystic fibrosis?
The cause of this disease is as a result of mutation in the gene for protein named cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR).
This gene makes a protein that controls the movement of salt and water in and out of your body’s cells.
Every person inherits two CFTR genes one from each parent. If each parent has a normal CFTR gene and a faulty CFTR gene, each child has a 25 percent chance of inheriting two normal genes, a 50 percent chance of inheriting one normal gene and one faulty gene, and a 25 percent chance of inheriting two faulty genes.
However, children who inherit a faulty gene from each parent will have cystic fibrosis.
A defect in the CFTR gene causes cystic fibrosis (CF).
In people who have CF, the gene makes a protein that doesn’t work well. This causes thick, sticky mucus and very salty sweat.
Mucus is a substance made by tissues that line some organs and body cavities, such as the lungs and nose. Normally, mucus is a slippery, watery substance. It keeps the linings of certain organs moist and prevents them from drying out or getting infected.
The thick, sticky mucus also can block tubes, or ducts, in your pancreas (an organ in your abdomen). As a result, the digestive enzymes that your pancreas makes can’t reach your small intestine.
Infertility (men) and decreased fertility (women)
Inflamed nasal passages or a stuffy nose
Symptoms like bowel obstruction due to meconium ileus mostly appears in a new born baby or in early childhood.
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Complication of cystic fibrosis
There are typical complication caused by cystic fibrosis which includes the following:
- Progressive lung damage from chronic infection.
- Difficulty in digesting fats and protein
- Inability of the body to absorb nutrients thus leading to malnutrition and vitamin deficiency.
How can cystic fibrosis be treated?
Cystic fibrosis (CF) has no cure. However, treatments have greatly improved in recent years. Depending on the severity of CF, you or your child may be treated in a hospital.
Antibiotics and inhalation medications are the most necessary medicines for the patients of Cystic Fibrosis. Many Cystic Fibrosis Patients mostly remains on one or more antibiotics.
If you or your child has symptoms of cystic fibrosis or if someone in your family has cystic fibrosis talk with your doctor about testing for the disease.
People with CF need to work closely with their medical professionals and families to create individualized treatment plans.
What you can do to reduce risk of lung infection
People with CF can also help reduce their risk of lung by following these few steps:
- Practice frequent washing the hands frequently
- Ensure you get a flu shot every year
- Do not smoke
- Try avoiding second-hand smoke.
- Avoid unnecessary contact with people who have colds or other contagious illnesses
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