CYSTIC FIBROSIS

CYSTIC FIBROSIS OR (CF)

• Cf affects the 7th chromosome
• Cf occurs because of mutations in the gene that makes a protein called CFTR
• A person with CF produces abnormal CFTR protein or no CFTR protein at all
• Which makes the body make a thick sticky mucus instead of the normal thin watery kind

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Weight loss
• Coughing or increased mucus in the sinus or lungs
• Clubbed fingers (picture)
• Infertility - inability to become pregnant
• To check if you have Cf you could have a blood test, but there are other tests as well

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

LIFE EXPECTANTY

RESEARCH

• In 1989 the Cf gene was finally found which was the greatest breakthrough
• Currently there are 30 potential Cf treatments
• And with more treatments the closer we are to curing the disease in the future

FUTURE RESEARCH

• Many current treatments have been very promising so far
• And scientists are very close to finding a cure
• There are a couple ways they have been trying to reverse Cf
• (Listed in future treatments)

TREATMENTS

• Hypertonic saline helps clear CF mucus. It is proven to improve lung function and reduce hospital stays.
• CPT is a treatment that helps to break up the mucus
• Some of the treatment exercises are thumping on the patients chest or there is chest vibration.
• Postural drainage and percussion treatment also helps get rid of mucus and clear the airways
• A patient will use a mechanical "vest" or blow into a device that shakes the mucus loose

FUTURE TREATMENTS

• There are new antibiotic therapies and methods for airway drainage, etc.
• We are trying many different ways for treating, and maybe someday curing CF
• the most exciting possibility for the future of CF treatment lies in gene therapy
• The use of DNA to repair or replace the function of a mutated gene
• Although Gene therapy is far from being ready but it is the future for curing CF

SITES/SOURCES

SITES/SOURCES

• http://cysticfibrosis.respironics.com/treatment.asp
• Www.cff.org/research/