Cystic fibrosis is inherited and causes excessive production of sticky, thick mucous. This develops in the digestive tract and lungs. Thus, causes digestion problems, male infertility and chronic lung disease.
This condition is due to defective gene which initiates body for the production of abnormally sticky and thick mucus which congests lung. This mucous traps bacteria in the very small passages in lungs, that cause life threatening infection. If a person suffers from blockages and infections repeatedly, irreversible damage to lung takes place.
Gene of cystic fibrosis was identified in the year 1989. This helped in the development of carrier tests, good treatment and also control on the condition.
In North America, this is the common autosomal recessive genetic disorders. If a person has to inherit cystic fibrosis, they should pass 2 defective cystic fibrosis genes, 1 from each parent. Most Americans carry only one defective gene and are called carriers. They do not have any signs and symptoms.
Nearly, 1 in 29 Caucasian Americans suffer from cystic fibrosis gene. This dangerous disorder mostly affects Caucasians in US. This is rare among ethnic and other racial groups, like Asian Americans and African Americans.
Most children suffering from cystic fibrosis are diagnosed at the age of 2. However, children with mild condition cannot be diagnosed until 18 years or above. This is the most common chronic lung disease affecting young adults and children and results in early death.
Excess mucous causes lingering or frequent cough, difficulty in breathing, repeated lung infections, like sinusitis or pneumonia, digestion problems, like constipation.
Cystic fibrosis causes pancreatic complications in 85 percent of patients. Functioning of lung remains critical factor in survival and prognosis. This extends to pancreas impairment that prevents the enzymes release which are required for food digestion. Often, this is noticed in a person who eats well, but does not increase weight.
Nutritional and intestinal problems are alleviated by the replacement of pancreatic enzymes which are missing a vitamin and special diet supplements.
