ABOUT CYSTIC FIBROSIS

What is cystic fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening disease that causes mucus to build up in the lungs and
digestive tract. When mucus clogs the lungs, it can make breathing very difficult. The
thick mucus also causes bacteria (or germs) to get stuck in the airways, which causes
inflammation or swelling and infections that lead to lung damage. It is one of the most
common types of chronic lung disease in children and young adults, and may result in
early death.
There is no cure. Medical care, treatment plans and therapies, along with proper CF
nutrition, can lengthen and improve the quality of life.
Symptoms
Cystic fibrosis symptoms vary person to person. The most common symptoms are:
-persistent coughing or increased mucus in the sinuses or lungs
-belly pain from severe constipation
-delayed growth
-fatigue
-very salty-tasting skin
-recurrent respiratory infections, like pneumonia or bronchitis
-weight loss or failure to gain weight normally in young children
-wheezing or shortness of breath
-frequent greasy, bulky stools or difficulty in bowel movements
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of cystic fibrosis is based on clinical signs, a sweat test, amniocentesis
(with genetic analysis) and possibly Chorionic Villi Sampling.
Causes
CF is a genetic disease. People inherit CF from their parents through genes (or DNA).
This defective gene tells the body to produce abnormally thick and sticky fluid, called
mucus. This mucus builds up in the breathing passages of the lungs and pancreas, the
organ that helps to break down and absorb food. Approximately 30,000 people in the
United States have cystic fibrosis.
Treatment
Survival and quality of life can be improved by an early diagnosis and a treatment plan.
The average life span is 35 years for a CF patient.

When you cant breathenothing else matters.