Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited disease of the secretory glands, glands that make up mucus and sweat. It is also known as mucoviscidosis, that affects mostly the lungs but also the pancreas, liver, kidneys and intestine. Long term issues include difficulty breathing and coughing up sputum as a result of frequent lung infections. A defect in the CFTR gene causes cystic fibrosis. This gene makes a protein that controls the movement of salt and water in and out of your body's cells. In people who have CF, the gene makes a protein that doesn't work well. This causes thick, sticky mucus and very salty sweat.
Research says that the CFTR protein also affects the body in other ways. This may help explain other symptoms and complications of CF.
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However, they can pass the faulty CFTR gene to their children.
The image below shows how two parents who are both CF carriers can pass the faulty CFTR gene to their children. Cystic fibrosis affects both males and females and people from all racial and ethnic groups. However, the disease is most common among Caucasians of Northern European …show more content…
They're related to how CF affects the respiratory, digestive, or reproductive systems of the body. In the respiratory system sticky mucus builds up in their airways. This buildup of mucus makes it easier for bacteria to grow and cause infections. Infections can block the airways and cause frequent coughing that brings up thick spit or mucus that is sometimes bloody.
People who have CF tend to have lung infections caused by unusual germs that don't respond to standard antibiotics. Lung infections caused by bacteria called mucoid pseudomonas are much more common in people who have CF than in those who don't. An infection caused by these bacteria may be a sign of CF.
People who have CF have frequent bouts of sinusitis, an infection of the sinuses. The sinuses are hollow air spaces around the eyes, nose, and forehead. Frequent bouts of bronchitis and pneumonia also can occur. These infections can cause long-term lung damage.
In the digestive system mucus can block tubes, or ducts, in your pancreas. These blockages prevent enzymes from reaching your
Research says that the CFTR protein also affects the body in other ways. This may help explain other symptoms and complications of CF.
More …show more content…
However, they can pass the faulty CFTR gene to their children.
The image below shows how two parents who are both CF carriers can pass the faulty CFTR gene to their children. Cystic fibrosis affects both males and females and people from all racial and ethnic groups. However, the disease is most common among Caucasians of Northern European …show more content…
They're related to how CF affects the respiratory, digestive, or reproductive systems of the body. In the respiratory system sticky mucus builds up in their airways. This buildup of mucus makes it easier for bacteria to grow and cause infections. Infections can block the airways and cause frequent coughing that brings up thick spit or mucus that is sometimes bloody.
People who have CF tend to have lung infections caused by unusual germs that don't respond to standard antibiotics. Lung infections caused by bacteria called mucoid pseudomonas are much more common in people who have CF than in those who don't. An infection caused by these bacteria may be a sign of CF.
People who have CF have frequent bouts of sinusitis, an infection of the sinuses. The sinuses are hollow air spaces around the eyes, nose, and forehead. Frequent bouts of bronchitis and pneumonia also can occur. These infections can cause long-term lung damage.
In the digestive system mucus can block tubes, or ducts, in your pancreas. These blockages prevent enzymes from reaching your