Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, digestive tract, and other organs. It is caused by a mutation in the CFTR gene that controls salt and water levels in cells. Symptoms affect the respiratory and digestive systems, including persistent cough, wheezing, lung infections, and greasy stools. Complications can damage the lungs and lead to respiratory failure, as well as cause problems in other organs like the pancreas and liver. While there is no prevention, genetic testing can assess risk for couples who may carry the defective gene.
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, digestive tract, and other organs. It is caused by a mutation in the CFTR gene that controls salt and water levels in cells. Symptoms affect the respiratory and digestive systems, including persistent cough, wheezing, lung infections, and greasy stools. Complications can damage the lungs and lead to respiratory failure, as well as cause problems in other organs like the pancreas and liver. While there is no prevention, genetic testing can assess risk for couples who may carry the defective gene.
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, digestive tract, and other organs. It is caused by a mutation in the CFTR gene that controls salt and water levels in cells. Symptoms affect the respiratory and digestive systems, including persistent cough, wheezing, lung infections, and greasy stools. Complications can damage the lungs and lead to respiratory failure, as well as cause problems in other organs like the pancreas and liver. While there is no prevention, genetic testing can assess risk for couples who may carry the defective gene.
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, digestive tract, and other organs. It is caused by a mutation in the CFTR gene that controls salt and water levels in cells. Symptoms affect the respiratory and digestive systems, including persistent cough, wheezing, lung infections, and greasy stools. Complications can damage the lungs and lead to respiratory failure, as well as cause problems in other organs like the pancreas and liver. While there is no prevention, genetic testing can assess risk for couples who may carry the defective gene.
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What is Cystic Fibrosis?
A serious genetic condition that causes severe damage to the respiratory and digestive systems. This damage often results from a buildup of thick, sticky mucus in the organs.
The most commonly affected organs include the:
lungs
pancreas
liver
Intestines Symptoms Most of the other signs and symptoms of CF affect the respiratory system and digestive system. Respiratory signs and symptoms
Wheezing Persistent cough that produces thick mucus or phlegm Shortness of breath, especially when exercising Recurrent lung infections Stuffy nose Stuffy sinuses
Digestive signs and symptoms
Greasy, foul-smelling stools
Constipation Nausea Abdominal swelling Loss of appetite Insufficient weight gain in children Delayed growth in children Causes CF occurs as a result of a defect in what’s called the “cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator” gene, or CFTR gene. This gene controls the movement of water and salt in and out of your body’s cells. A sudden mutation, or change, in the CFTR gene causes your mucus to become thicker and stickier than it’s supposed to be. This abnormal mucus increases the amount of salt in your sweat and builds up in various organs throughout the body, including the:
Intestines Pancreas Liver Lungs Risk Factors Anyone can inherit CF if their parents carry the gene. However, carriers usually have just one copy of a defective gene and may never experience symptoms or even know they carry the gene. Although carriers won’t have active disease, the children of two carriers have a much higher risk. To be exact, if both your parents carry the cystic fibrosis gene, there is a:
25 percent chance you will have CF
50 percent chance you will be a carrier but not develop CF 25 percent that you won’t carry the gene or develop CF People who have a family history of CF are also at an increased risk because it’s an inherited disorder. Complication Complications of cystic fibrosis can affect the respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems, as well as other organs. Respiratory system complications
Damaged airways (bronchiectasis)
Chronic infections Growths in the nose (nasal polyps) Coughing up blood (hemoptysis) Pneumothorax Respiratory failure Acute exacerbations Digestive system complications
Infertility in men Reduced fertility in women Prevention CF cannot be prevented. However, genetic testing should be performed for couples who have CF or have relatives with the disease. Genetic testing can determine a child’s risk of CF by testing samples of blood or saliva from each parent. Tests can also be performed on you if you’re pregnant and concerned about your baby’s risk.
