Mucus in patients with Cystic Fibrosis is very thick and collects in the intestines and lungs. The harm it does is that there is poor growth, many respiratory infections, breathing difficulties and permanent lung damage. Lung disease the usually the cause of death.
Diseases like Cystic Fibrosis are inherited and are called genetic diseases. Genes control traits, or function of the body. In Cystic Fibrosis, the patient has a defective Cystic Fibroses gene. A defective Cystic Fibroses gene makes it difficult for chloride to move through cells. This causes abnormal mucus secretions and salt loss in the body.
A Cystic Fibrosis is defective if a child inherits 2 abnormal genes, I from each parent. That is why even if parents don’t have cystic fibrosis, their children could have it. The parents are called Cystic Fibrosis carries.
There are 2 sets of hereditary materials, one from the mother there other from the father. The hereditary materials are made of chromosomes. We have 23 pairs, one set from the mother and the other from the father.
In Cystic Fibrosis, 2 genes control chlorine movement. One can be called regular Cystic Fibroses gene (G), and the other dominant Cystic Fibrosis gene (g). For the Cystic Fibrosis gene, the regular gene (G) is dominant over the regular one (g). if a person has a pair of regular genes (GG), they aren’t a carry of Cystic Fibrosis disease. If a person has a pair including one regular and one dominant gene (Gg), they are a carrier of Cystic Fibrosis. If a person has a pair of dominant genes (gg), they have Cystic Fibrosis.
The most common test for Cystic Fibrosis is called the sweat test. It measures the amount of salt in the sweat. Patients with Cystic Fibrosis have a high amount of salt in their sweat. In the sweat test, an area of the skin, usually the forearm is made to sweat by using a chemical and applying a mild electric current. To collect the sweat, the area is covered with gauze pad or filter paper and wrapped in plastic. After 30-40 minutes, the plastic is removed and the sweat on the pad or paper is analyzed. Higher than normal amounts of sodium and chloride suggest that the person may have cystic fibrosis.
At the moment, there is no cure for Cystic Fibrosis. The treatment consists of reducing symptoms and slowing down the progress so the patient’s quality of life is improved. There are also things you can do yourself to reduce breathing obstructions that cause frequent lung infection. Physical therapy, exercise and medication are used to reduce the mucus blocking the airways. Also you could have an lung transplant surgery.
The digestive problems in Cystic Fibrosis are less serious and more easily managed than those in the lungs. A well balanced, high calorie diet, high in protein and pancreatic enzymes that helps digestion. Supplements of vitamins A, D, E and K are given to ensure good nutrition. Vitamins and medication are helpful to thin the mucus.
