What is cystiv fibrosis?

Answer 1

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder which affects the lungs and pancreas. It causes the lungs to get clogged with mucus, which in turn makes the lungs a breeding ground for bacteria. In the pancreas, it blocks the pancreas from absorbing enzymes, which makes its victims prone to malnutrition. Often times, they have to take treatments such as lung therapy every day, as well as enzyme supplements on a daily basis. The average life expectancy is 37.

• Cystic Fibrosis is caused by a defective gene which causes a thick, sticky mucus. It builds up in the lungs and pancreas (the organ that helps to break-down food.) Cystic Fibrosis results in life-threatening lung infections and digestive problems. Symptoms are varied, but the most common are: No bowel movements in first 24 - 48 hours of life (baby!) Stools that are pale or clay colored, foul smelling or float. Infants can have salty tasting skin. Recurrent respiratory infections, such as pneumonia or sinusitis. Coughing/wheezing. Weight loss or can't gain weight normally in childhood. Diarrhea, delayed growth and fatigue.
• Cystic Fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease occurring in about 1 in 30,000 births. The gene must be inherited from both the mother and the father. Children inheriting only one copy of the gene are carriers but do not display symptoms. Average life expectancy for Cystic Fibrosis is approximately 32 years of age. There are many treatments but no cure. People with Cystic Fibrosis are at high risk of developing other conditions such as Cystic Fibrosis related Arthritis and Cystic Fibrosis related Diabetes, Liver failure and ultimately respiratory failure leading to death. Once a person with Cystic Fibrosis loses enough lung function the only other treatment is a lung transplant

Answer 2

Cystic Fibrosis is a disease that is inherited from your Mum or Dad. It effects children from the day they're born. The child's lungs, intestines and pancreas become clogged with thick mucus making it difficult for them to breathe.

Answer 3

Cystic Fibrosis is an incurable inherited genetic disease which affects the mainly the digestive system and lungs (but can also cause foot clubbing, diabetes, dehydration, liver failure and infertility). In order for a child to be born with CF, both parents must carry the gene and pass it on. If both parents carry, there is a 25% chance of their child having CF. The gene is most common in those of European descent, and least common in those of Asian descent.

CF causes a thick sticky mucus to clog the respiratory and digestive systems causing difficulty breathing, increased risk of infections, constipation/diarrhoea, coughing, abdominal pain and excess sweating, amongst other symptoms. The infections cause damage to the internal organs (most notably the lungs) which often means that after time the sufferer will require an organ transplant, and possibly another afterwards.

Most sufferers will have to take many medications on an average day. For example, my 1 year old brother currently takes 12 digestive enzyme pills per day to help him digest fat, 10 ml flucloxacillin and 5ml augmentin (both antibiotics), 1.2ml multivitamins, 1ml vitamin E, montelukaast (a steroid I believe). When he is sick he also may need inhalers - blue, green and brown, and laxatives. Sufferers will tend to have a prophylactic antibiotic which they take at all times to prevent infection.

The average life expectancy for a person with CF is between 35-40 in most developed countries, however advances in medicine cotinue to raise this average all the time.

Answer 4

Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive genetic disease that causes dysfunction in the CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator) protein. The result is thick, sticky mucus that builds up in and clogs organs, particularly the lungs and pancreas.

Answer 5

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder in which certain proteins in the lungs are not functioning properly - you get it from inheriting the genes for the disease from your parents. The malfunctioning proteins result in accumulations of thick, sticky mucus in the lungs which must be coughed up regularly.

Answer 6

Cystis fibrosis is when your mucus is thick and sticky.