Cystic Fibrosis Fact Sheet
Cystic Fibrosis Fact Sheet
Cystic Fibrosis Fact Sheet
Cystic Fibrosis
COMMON SYMPTOMS Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a chronic disease that affects the lungs and the digestive system such as the liver, pancreas, intestines; it can also affect sex organs.
Repeated lung infections Repeated sinus infections Shortness of breath Large foul-smelling stools Chronic cough Diarrhea Poor weight gain Salty skin taste Delayed sexual development Poor growth
How is CF Diagnosed?
Typically when a child is born they are tested. If not, then a sweat test is done to determine if there are high levels of chloride in the sweat. This is indicative that persos has cystic fibrosis.
The mucus build up in the body makes it easy for bacteria to grow. This leads to having continuous lung infections that can damage the lungs over time.
CYSTIC FIBROSIS
IMPORTANT FACTS
Research Milestones
In 2010 the FDA approves a new inhaled antibiotic Cayston; which helps recurrent lung infections Lung transplants have prolonged life expectancy Harvard stem cell researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital are close to creating a drug that hits the major problems of the disease.
Approximately 30,000 people in the U.S. have Cystic Fibrosis; while 6 million are carriers. Cystic Fibrosis is more common in Caucasians, affecting 1 in 3,000 newborns. CF is less common among African Americans. There is no way to prevent cystic fibrosis. In the 1950s children with cystic fibrosis did not live to attend elementary school The life expectancy with cystic fibrosis is beyond 40 years of age. Close to 12 million Americans are carriers of the cystic fibrosis gene. 98% of men with cystic fibrosis are infertile due to blockage of the duct that carries sperm to the testes.
References Colen, B. (2012).Big advance against cystic fibrosis. Harvard Gazette.Retrieved from http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/ story/2012/04/big-advanceagainst- cystic-fibrosis/ "Cystic fibrosis." Edward Rosick, DO, MPH, MS. and Monique Laberge, PhD. The Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health: Infancy through Adolescence. Ed. Jacqueline L. Longe. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2011. 4 vol Doull, I. J. M. (2001). Recent advances in cystic fibrosis. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 85(1), 62-6. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.aacc.edu/login?url=h ttp://search.proquest.com/docview/ 196840544?accountid=40680