PRESENTATION OUTLINE
What is cystic fibrosis ?
Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects the respiratory and digestive systems. People with Cystic Fibrosis inherit the defective gene on chromosome 7 called CTFR. The protein produced on this gene is supposed to help salt go in and out of cells but if it doesn't work correctly which sometimes happens with Cystic Fibrosis it creates a sticky mucus that clogs up the lungs.
More about Cystic Fibrosis.
Cystic Fibrosis also effects the sweat glands so that you sweat to much and lose to much salt through sweat. And that messes up the balance of minerals in your body. Cystic Fibrosis isn't very common but many people don't know they have it because they don't have the defective gene.
How do you get cystic fibrosis ?
Cystic Fibrosis is a recessive disorder so to get it both parents must pass on the defective gene to there child for them to get the disease. That is the only way Cystic Fibrosis is spread.
Symptoms and signs.
The symptoms and what happens to the body when you get cystic fibrosis are coughing, respiratory illness,low weight, salty tasting skin, and greasy stools. Also cystic fibrosis patients who don't get treatment have short lifespans.
How it is Diagnosed.
To see if you have the disease doctors do sweat tests to measure the amount of salt in a persons sweat. In newborns doctors measure the amount of protein in the baby's blood.
You can't prevent Cystic Fibrosis but there are some ways to make it better.
How to treat Cystic Fibrosis
To treat the disease you can get chest physical therapy or gene therapy. You can also inhale antibiotics to kill bacteria or use an inhaler to help you breath. For proper digestion people use pancreatic enzyme replacement .
