What are some interesting facts about cystic fibrosis?
8 Interesting Facts About Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis [CF] is a genetic disorder. It primarily affects the digestive and respiratory systems of those who have it. CF develops because of a defective gene that is on Chromosome 7 and it stops salt moving in and out of cells effectively. The result is an increased production of mucus and this clogs the airways and digestive systems.
What is life expectancy with CF?
In some cases, CF can be a mild disease. But in most people with CF, it poses a serious risk to a person’s health. The average lifespan of a person with CF is 37 years. Those with a milder form can live into their 50s.
How does cystic fibrosis affect people with it?
In people with cystic fibrosis, the body produces mucus that is abnormally thick and sticky. This abnormal mucus can clog the airways, leading to severe problems with breathing and bacterial infections in the lungs . These infections cause chronic coughing, wheezing, and inflammation.
Is cystic fibrosis a disease that you are born with?
Cystic fibrosis is classically a disease of childhood that progresses into adulthood. If you have a genetic defect related to cystic fibrosis (CF), you are more likely to be born with cystic fibrosis. The symptoms might appear later, and hence, the age at diagnosis varies widely. Earlier cystic fibrosis used to be diagnosed only after the appearance of its signs and symptoms.
What causes problems in cystic fibrosis?
Abnormal Mucus. Many of the symptoms in CF are caused by abnormal (thick, sticky) mucus in the body. Cells and Genes. Cells are the very small, basic working units of all living things. The CFTR Gene. One particular gene carries the instructions for making the CFTR protein. The CFTR Protein and CF. More Information References & Sources
What’s the history behind cystic fibrosis?
The first modern description of the disease was made in 1938 by pathologist Dorothy Andersen. Based on autopsies of children who had died of malnutrition, she termed the disease “cystic fibrosis of the pancreas.” It had previously been known as “mucoviscidosis,” referring to the thickening of mucus.
Can you develop cystic fibrosis?
To develop cystic fibrosis, a person must inherit two cystic fibrosis genes. One gene is inherited from each parent. People who inherit only one cystic fibrosis gene are called cystic fibrosis carriers. They can pass the cystic fibrosis gene to their children. But they do not have the disease themselves.