Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic Fibrosis Diagnosis Cystic Fibrosis, or CF as it is commonly called, is a disease caused by an inherited genetic defect. As such it is not contagious and there is no risk of catching CF from another person with CF. About 1 in 23 people in the United States carry at least one defective gene, which makes it the most common genetic defect of its severity in the United States.
People with Cystic Fibrosis suffer from chronic lung problems and digestive disorders. The lungs of people with Cystic Fibrosis become covered with sticky mucus, which is hard to remove and promotes infection by bacteria. Many people with CF require frequent hospitalizations and continuous use of antibiotics, enzyme supplements, and other medications. The life expectancy of people with Cystic Fibrosis used to be very short; 30 years ago the median life expectancy was about 8 years. Today, thanks to medical advances, the median life expectancy is just under 30 years.
Symptoms Symptoms of cystic fibrosis may appear at birth or years later, and may range from mild to very severe. They include: · Swollen abdomen in a newborn baby · A baby who does not pass stool for the first few days after birth. This first stool may be dark green and thick · Wheezing, coughing, and trouble breathing. This generally occurs when mucous plugs the child's airways in the lungs. As a result, children with CF may have a hard time staying active as long as other children.
· Salty skin. Parents may notice that their child's skin tastes salty. This is because CF causes the sweat to contain an unusually high amount of salt. · Dehydration during hot weather. This may occur because of the high levels of salt in sweat.
· Lung and sinus infections.
· Trouble digesting food. Enzymes are necessary to help digest food in the stomach. In children with CF, the large amount of mucous stops enzymes from being released, so...
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