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Cystic Fibrosis
BY: SKYLAR CHREENE
About Cystic Fibrosis
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Cystic fibrosis, also known as CF or mucoviscidosis, is a lifethreatening genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and
digestive system. In people with CF, a defective gene and its protein
product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus
that can clog the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections.
CF can also obstruct the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from
helping the body break down food and absorb vital nutrients.
Cause

The cause of cystic fibrosis is a defect in a gene called the cystic
fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. This
gene makes a protein that controls the movement of salt and water
in and out of the cells in your body. In people with cystic fibrosis, the
gene does not work effectively. This causes the thick, sticky mucus
and very salty sweat that are the main features of cystic fibrosis.
Health Issues and Symptoms
Long-term issues include:

difficulty breathing and coughing up sputum as a result of frequent lung
infections.
Other symptoms include:

sinus infections

poor growth

fatty stool

clubbing of the finger and toes

infertility in males among others
Main Treatment Options

Antibiotics to help treat and prevent lung and/or sinus infections

Inhaled medicine (breathing treatments) to open airways

Nutritional therapy to help replace lost nutrients.

Respiratory therapy is reducing infection and getting rid of mucus to
keep the lungs healthy.

Medicines may be used to control the amount and thickness of
mucus.
Other Facts

There is no cure

However, cystic fibrosis occurs most commonly among Caucasians
of Northern European descent; an estimated 1 in 2,500 Caucasian
births are affected

The gene affected is located on chromosome 7

Life expectancy is about 37 years

It occurs equally in male and female babies and affects nearly
every race

CF is autosomal recessive