Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited or genetic disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs, digestive system and other organs. The disorder is progressive thus requiring regular care as well as its severity and symptoms vary among affected individuals.

Generally, mucus is a slippery substance protects lining of airways, digestive system, reproductive system, and other organs and tissues but cystic fibrosis thickens mucus which blocks the passage or linings.

If remains untreated infections result in permanent lung damage, including the formation of scar tissue and cysts in the lungs, and become a life-threatening problem.

Cause:

As Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disorder it is caused by defect or mutation in a gene called CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) and changes a protein that regulates influx and outflux of salt in cells. If CFTR is not working properly, sticky and thick mucus increases in the body specially in the respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems.

Cystic Fibrosis Occur if children inherit one copy of mutant gene from each parent, if children inherit with only one copy from any of one parent, then they will be a carrier.

Symptoms:

Respiratory Problems-	Digestive Problems-
Wheezing	Constipation
Shortness of breath	Nausea
A persistent cough that produces thick mucus	Poor weight gain
Recurrent sinusitis	Loss of appetite
Repeated lung infection	Swollen abdomen

 

Diagnosis:

From below mentioned tests Cystic Fibrosis Can be diagnosed:

Immunoreactive trypsinogen test

Sweat test

Sputum test

Chest x-ray

Pulmonary function test

DNA test

Treatment:

Treatment is completely depends on patient’s condition and severity but some treatments given by physicians are like:

Clearing mucus from the respiratory airways

Detect and treat complications of Cystic Fibrosis

Medications prescribed by physician.

Reference:

https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/cystic-fibrosis/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cystic-fibrosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353700

https://www.healthline.com/health/cystic-fibrosis#symptomss