10 Things You Didn't Know About Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease, which causes mucus in the body to become thick and sticky. This occurrence can cause various complications with certain organs within the human body. Specifically, the lungs and pancreas are most affected, but it is also known to affect the liver, kidneys, and intestines. Symptoms of CF can include but are not limited to difficulty breathing and chronic lung Infections (lung disease). There is not as of yet any known cure for CF, although the symptoms and complications caused by the disease can be treated. There are many progressing clinical trials performed by scientists, and doctors attempting to combat the disease. 

Cystic fibrosis is known to damage the lungs, the digestive system as well as the other organs present in the body. This medical condition is known to affect the cells which are known to produce mucus, sweat as well as the digestive juices. This is mostly caused due to the genetic factor. This gene is said to change a protein which is very much responsible for movement of salts in and out of cells as a result it leads to thick sticky mucus which tends to get accumulated in the respiratory system. Below are certain things which not all are aware about this disease:

• Cystic fibrosis is known to be a common form of genetic disease seen among the Canadians as well as the Caucasian Americans. Over the past few years it has become more and more detectable since people are becoming aware about it.
• The symptoms of cystic seen in infants are very much different than the ones in adults. Also among the adults, the symptoms are known to vary from person to person along with its severity.
• There are certain kinds of test which can be done to confirm on the existence of this disease in individuals or children. Sweat test is known to check for the amount of salt which the skin is secreting. There is also genetic test for verifying the same.
• Once the diagnosis is done, the doctor would prescribe certain medications so as to protect from any kind of lung infections which would control and reduce the mucus present in the lungs.
• Cystic fibrosis has no cure though there are treatment options to manage this disease due to which the individual can live a fairly efficient life. The common cause of death identified in cystic fibrosis patients is complications found in the lungs.
• The cysts which are formed are more often painful and very severe. They need to be removed through surgical methods. At times, medications are also known to help in formation of cysts.
• At times diagnosis of cystic fibrosis becomes difficult since there is multiple mutation of gene which can lead to varied reactions happening in the body.
• As the disease progresses with age, the symptoms and its severity would vary hence the treatment method would also be different.
• Those suffering from cystic fibrosis should stay clear from any kind of infection such as common cold or flu since it can prove to be dangerous for the lungs. The reason for the same is when the human body detects any germ it would try to release white blood cells so as to kill those germs but in doing so there is creation of mucus occurring in the lungs as well as the nose. This can be mostly dangerous for those with cystic fibrosis since there is irregularity of mucus in their lungs.
• This disease is not specific to any particular gender. It can occur to any individual and also irrespective of the age factor.