Cystic fibrosis (CF) is
an inherited disorder
What is cystic fibrosis and its causes?
Cystic fibrosis is
caused by a change, or mutation
, in a gene called CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator). This gene controls the flow of salt and fluids in and out of your cells. If the CFTR gene doesn’t work the way it should, a sticky mucus builds up in your body.
What is the main cause of cystic fibrosis?
Causes. Cystic fibrosis is an
inherited disease caused by mutations in a gene called the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene
. The CFTR gene provides instructions for the CFTR protein.
What are 5 symptoms of cystic fibrosis?
- Very salty-tasting skin.
- Persistent coughing, at times with phlegm.
- Frequent lung infections including pneumonia or bronchitis.
- Wheezing or shortness of breath.
- Poor growth or weight gain in spite of a good appetite.
- Frequent greasy, bulky stools or difficulty with bowel movements.
- Male infertility.
What cystic fibrosis does to the body?
CF
causes thick mucus that clogs certain organs
, such as the lungs, pancreas, and intestines. This may cause malnutrition, poor growth, frequent respiratory infections, breathing problems, and chronic lung disease.
Can you get cystic fibrosis at any age?
While cystic fibrosis is
usually diagnosed in childhood
, adults with no symptoms (or mild symptoms) during their youth can still be found to have the disease.
How is cystic fibrosis detected?
A complete diagnostic evaluation for CF should include a
sweat chloride test, a genetic or carrier test
, and a clinical evaluation at a CF Foundation-accredited care center. Most children are now screened for CF at birth through newborn screening and the majority are diagnosed by age 2.
What race is cystic fibrosis most common in?
Cystic fibrosis is a common genetic disease within
the white population
in the United States. The disease occurs in 1 in 2,500 to 3,500 white newborns. Cystic fibrosis is less common in other ethnic groups, affecting about 1 in 17,000 African Americans and 1 in 31,000 Asian Americans.
Is CF contagious?
People with CF can’t be together.
As a result, people with CF harbor dangerous bacteria in their lungs and these bacteria are
contagious only to other people
with CF or compromised immune systems. The good news is CF is not at all contagious or dangerous to healthy people.
What are the 3 most common types of mutations that cause cystic fibrosis?
Protein processing mutations (Class 2)
Gating mutations
(Class 3) Conduction mutations (Class 4)
What are four symptoms of cystic fibrosis?
- Chronic coughing (dry or coughing up mucus)
- Recurring chest colds.
- Wheezing or shortness of breath.
- Frequent sinus infections.
- Very salty-tasting skin.
Can you have CF and not know?
Parents who carry the cystic fibrosis gene are often
healthy and have no symptoms of disease
, and yet are still likely to pass it on to their children. In fact, it’s estimated that as many as 10 million people may be carriers of a cystic fibrosis gene and not know it.
What gender is cystic fibrosis most common in?
Males
account for slightly more than 50 percent of all cases of cystic fibrosis (CF) but generally have better outcomes than females until about age 20.
How cystic fibrosis affects daily life?
Living with a chronic disease, such as cystic fibrosis, can be emotionally challenging. Although moments of sadness and anxiety due to the uncertainty of your health may come and go, depression and persistent anxiety should be treated as part of your overall health and emotional wellness.
How does cystic fibrosis affect you emotionally?
The signs of emotional problems among loved ones of CF patients include physical problems like
headaches, stomach problems and back pain
; along with sleeplessness, feelings of frustration, sadness, depression, anxiety, guilt, anger, loneliness, resentment, decreased enjoyment of pleasurable activities, social isolation …
How long can cystic fibrosis go undetected?
They might or might not have elevated sweat chloride levels. As a result, these individuals often have fewer hospitalizations during childhood than those with classic CF do,
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and the disorder can remain undiagnosed
for many years
, at times into adulthood. Individuals as old as 70 years have been diagnosed.
