Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that is inherited and commonly affects the lungs, digestive system, pancreas, reproductive systems and the sinuses. It is also characterized by abnormality in the glands that is responsible to produce sweat and mucus. It is a fatal and progressive disease that affects mostly children and young adults who are prone to lung infections. Those who are diagnosed with this condition die before they turn 40 years old. But, with the onset of new medicines and technology, those born with this condition are expected to live longer and with less discomfort of their disease.

The primary risk factor of cystic fibrosis is genetics. There is a defective gene that causes production of excess mucus in the body. If somebody in the family has cystic fibrosis then, one of the children of that family would be born with it. Frequency of this disease may be common in some Northern European ancestry and some other ethnic groups like Hispanics, Black-Afro Americans and some Asian descent.

Cystic fibrosis is highly associated with respiratory failure. This causes mucus to become too thick, discolored and too sticky. This kind of mucus sticks to the lungs and allowing germs and bacteria to cause infections. This genetic and chronic disease also affects the digestive system because it causes digestive problems. Mucus can cover most of the stomach and intestine linings that prevent proper absorption of proteins and minerals needed by the body. It can cause severe constipation because mucus blocks most of the digestive organs. It also affects the liver and can cause osteoporosis and bone loss.

Most people don’t know that they may be carriers of cystic fibrosis. Most of them are even healthy and have no symptoms at all of this disease. Babies with cystic fibrosis may show symptoms of having skin that taste like salt when kissed or when they are unable to pass stool after being born. Some believe that fatty acids may have something to do with the development of cystic fibrosis. Those with some imbalance of fatty acids may possibly have children infected with this disease. However, there are still no direct findings to connect fatty acids to cystic fibrosis.

The other symptoms of cystic fibrosis may develop later. There would be thick and sticky mucus that cover up the airways making breathing harder and cause excessive coughing. Lung infections occur due to formation of bacteria. There are frequent sinuses problems as well. There may be polyps or nasal growths in the nose that makes breathing harder. Bronchitis also develops causing more harm to the lungs. Most children and young adults with cystic fibrosis are under weight and have poor growth. This is because they cannot get enough nutrients from their food. Other disease that may develop later on are pancreatitis which is the inflammation of the pancreas, liver disease due to blockage of the bile ducts and rectal relapse causing the rectum to be displaced from the inside going to the outside.

Continued research is needed to understand more of cystic fibrosis. Those who are with this medical conditions try to live as normal as possible with medications, proper diets and therapy.

Jonathan Pitts

Copyrighted material; do not reprint without permission.

 

View all articles by Jonathan Pitts