CYSTIC FIBROSIS

CYSTIC FIBROSIS

• With Cystic Fibrosis you have a
• defective gene on chromosome 7 called CFTR.
• CFTR stand for cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance.

RESPIRATORY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• A persistent cough that produces thick spit and mucus
• Wheezing
• Breathlessness
• A decreased ability to exercise
• Repeated lung infections and Inflamed nasal passages or a stuffy nose

DIGESTIVE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Foul-smelling, greasy stools
• Poor weight gain and growth
• Intestinal blockage, particularly in newborns
• Severe constipation

A person must inherit two copies of the defective CF gene, one copy from each parent to have cystic fibrosis. Both parents must have at least one copy of the defective gene.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by a recessive allele. Cystic fibrosis occurs most frequently in Caucasians of northern European descent, in whom the CF gene is most common. Although people of other heritages can get it too.

TREATMENT

• There is not a set treatment because every case is different
• There are things that people with cystic fibrosis do everyday
• Do some form of airway clearance
• Take inhaled medicines
• Take pancreatic enzyme supplement capsules

The most recent drug approved to treat CF is Kalydeco. It treats the underlying cause of CF in a small group with a specific mutation of the CF gene. Work is ongoing to find additional therapies that could help improve key symptoms of CF by attacking the disease by its roots.

CITATIONS

• "Cystic Fibrosis." Cystic Fibrosis. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2014
• "Cystic Fibrosis." Symptoms. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec 2014
• "FAQs about the Cause, Diagnosis, Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis & More | CF Foundation."
• FAQs about the Cause, Diagnosis, Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis & More | CF Foundation.
• N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec 2014

CITATIONS

• BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 11 Dec 2014
• "Cystic Fibrosis." KidsHealth. The Nemours Foundation, 01 Apr. 2014.
• Web. 11 Dec 2014